Barbie Runs!!

:: Florida Running ::

2012-01-10T16:56:00.000-05:00

melboure beach. gorgeous.

Do I have to go back to Atlanta and back to reality?? Please say no! I have spent the past few days in sunny Florida for work and man, it was hard work. (Actually, it kinda was at times). When I landed in Florida on Sunday I was WAY overdressed in my cardigan and scarf combo. Fashionable in Atlanta... hot in Florida. I got my rental car, checked into the hotel, and made my normal, "I am here" calls and caught up with Kyle. With the beach just steps from my hotel room (and knowing this) I was kicking myself for not packing my bathing suit. I thought about going to buy one, but instead I opted for a run along the surf. The weather was gorgeous, there was a breeze and you cannot beat scenery and sounds like the beach. So, I laced up and hit the beach. And let me tell you, it is much harder to run on sand than pavement and dodging the waves and keeping your balance on the slight stance, I worked muscles that I have not worked in a while. But it was such a nice run. My legs were still tired from the 3.1 the day before and all the Pure Barre so I cut it short at just 1.61 miles and then I let myself just stand in the water (and again kicked myself for no bathing suit ... the cold water would have been marvelous for my aching muscles). For a quick moment, I lost my shoes and thought they had been washed away - but no. but seriously, how pretty is that beach!! can i move here?!

daytona beach - from my balcony!

I spent Monday night in Daytona Beach - kinda a sketchy gross little touristy town, but whatever. when i checked in, I noticed the fitness center and knew that I needed to/had to get in some miles. But when I got into my {way too big for 1 person} room, I did notice outside my window a nice little brick boardwalk and I told myself that I had to had to had to run it. I only got in a little under 2 miles, but the sun started setting pretty fast and I didn't want to be out on a boardwalk with sketchy people alone night so I headed back to the hotel. It was a good little run and it made me wish Atlanta was pancake flat - my legs and body felt good for the most part {I am trying to REALLY listen to my body more} - i ran some stairs which HELLO worked my thighs and tired me out faster than it should have, but honestly, I just really enjoyed the cool breezy beach air. I mean, I really could get used to living by the beach and running with the breeze off the water and smelling the ocean water air. Something about it is just peaceful and makes for a good mind clearing run -- which was much needed after the day I had.

I did not get a run in today, since I was way too exhausted from the past two days and I may have stayed up way past my bedtime watching the National Championship {ROLL TIDE} and plus when I got back to Melbourne, it was dark. But all in all, I got in 2 really good short runs while in Florida and I am happy with it.

I will leave you with this gorgeous sunrise from this morning in Daytona ....

Twisted Resolution Run 5k :: Race Recap / Review

2012-01-07T14:20:00.000-05:00

This morning I got up for a little "fun run" put on by The Big Peach Running Company in Decatur. It was a Resolution Run 5k - but not a race race, more like a legit honest to goodness, get out of bed, quit being lazy group run. I liked the idea and I liked that it was free and seeing how I have a half marathon in like a month I figured I needed to add to my Pure Barre work outs.

The 1st mile was good. Honestly, cannot complain about it. The pace of the group was good and manageable and I was just cruising. Around mile 2 my legs started to get tired. I think it was a combo of the hills and the Pure Barre workouts. So I started taking walk breaks. I wanted to listen to my body and not push myself too hard. I actually buddied up with some lady who said "I want to keep up with you" and it kinda shocked me since I was slow and trotting around. Mile 2 - 3.1 were the most unfun just because of hills and my tired legs.

The ran out of water at the middle point so by the time I got back to Big Peach I was thirsty and was getting a headache. And they were handing out "resolutions" on the run - but I got so tired of carrying them, I ended up ditching them. But one of my resolutions was to buy new spring gear. Yeah right - I am poor!

What I have learned - I need to foam roll and stretch out my muscles a little bit more! =D

But I came home to deader than dead laptop which sent Kyle and me to Best Buy. Oi. But that means I got to load my Garmin onto my computer and it actually works!! So now I can look at elevations and my splits again.

...but, I have a lot of work to do. But I am headed to FL tomorrow and I want to do some beach running!!

Oh How I Forgot

2012-01-03T08:51:00.000-05:00

I started back up with both Pure Barre and Blast 900 last week / this week. And let me tell you - I forgot just how painful {{ but awesome }} both are. I went to Blast for the first time in MONTHS yesterday and you know you're in a hard class / have a hard teacher when people who teach Blast classes attend her class. Yeah it was pretty rough and today I am hurting.

Pure Barre is a whole different kind of pain and it is probably a good thing that I accidentally forgot my Pure Barre clothes at home on the counter. =/

I have 9 more Blast classes on my schedule and 29 Pure Barre classes before the wedding with running in the mix too.

2012 Goals

2011-12-19T16:11:00.000-05:00

I am not going to even revisit my 2011 goals. If you want to find them - read them whatever - I am gonna make you dig for them. Sure 2011 is not over yet, but by the looks of my DailyMile training it has sucked when it came to working out and putting the miles down. Highest monthly miles: 14. Wowzas.

So in 2012 I am not gonna stress about it. I am getting married in March and that needs to be my main focus. I do have a half marathon on the books for February which I need to really get some miles in, but all in all 2012 I am just gonna try to find the joy of running and get working out back into my life. So if that means I only do 1 half, then so be it.

Goal #1 :: Feel REALLY pretty on my wedding day. I of course want to look good, but I don't want to stress myself out over missed workouts for the next 3 months.

Goal #2 :: Find a work out routine that I love and stick to it. Mix up the running and the cross training.

Goal #3 :: Run my half marathon in February. In 2011 I "skipped" / DNS'ed all of my halfs. I don't want to be a quitter anymore.

Goal #4 :: Run 20 mile months at the very least. That is 5 miles per week. That is do able.

And that is it. I didn't want to set too many or aim too high. I want to be comfortable in 2012.

Dear Trip Home To VA:

2011-12-16T19:15:00.000-05:00

I would like to run and not lay in bed watching Netflix and reading the whole time I am home. And since I will not have the dogs, there are no excuses why I cannot get a run in at least on Christmas Eve and the Monday after Christmas. I do have a hair cut Friday morning (at a mall, what was I thinking!?) and dinner with one set of Kyle's parents but I must run some.

I am doing Pure Barre tomorrow morning and today at work I started trying to book myself up for January - March (nothing like a wedding get in shape and be pretty cram fest :: reminds me of college exam time) but their system is whack and wouldn't let me only book under the 'Baby Bounce Back Package'. =/

As you know, I did get a run in on my work trip this week - but other than that I am sucking it up with the running and this holiday booty buster challenge thing.

I am gonna get a run in on Sunday after Kyle and I do our Christmas. There is a lot that I need to run off. This week has been a hard one.

Greenboro Work Trip.

2011-12-14T15:51:00.000-05:00

Whenever I travel I always BRING my work out clothes and if I get a work out in... that is impressive. But I made a point to try and get a run in.
We got to Greensboro early evening Sunday night and after dinner at Mellow Mushroom and a beer, we headed back to the hotel to call it a night. I got the "brilliant" idea to hit the treadmill before bed. Totally forgetting what I had had for dinner oh 40 minutes earlier. It made for a semi uncomfortable run and after about 2.5 miles I called it quits.
I really wish that it wasn't so cold (or that I had brought better outdoor running gear) and that it was not dark so early because I would have loved to run Downtown Greensboro where we were staying. But to run it in the dark... not so much.

The working out on this trip was less than impressive, I blame the fact that I had a travel buddy - but I am going to make my trip to Florida and St. Louis more exercise-ish.

Holiday Booty Buster - Week 1

2011-11-28T11:57:00.000-05:00

...was a total failure. But, I am going to blame the fact that I went home to VA and had to be a single mother to 2 dogs.

I got in 2.36 running miles = 2 points
And then you get 1 point for 15 minutes of low impact cardio (I read that as dog walks and oh did I walk some dogs) ... so I added in 5, 15 minute dog walks = 5 points.

7 points total. Which is not the lowest, but it is also not impressive.

And currently - it is raining outside. But that doesn't matter... my workout clothes are by the door.

And I also now have an impromptu trip to Birmingham for work on Wednesday so I will try and get something in there. Oi.

How I get points:
1 Point per mile (run/walk)
1 Point per 3 miles biked
1 Point per 20 minutes of weight lifting, Pilates, yoga, stretching or abs
1 Point per 15 minutes of low impact cardio (i.e. low impact aerobics, easy biking, skiing, skating, water aerobics, snow shoeing)
1 Point per 10 minutes of high impact cardio (i.e.spinning, kickboxing, lap swimming)
1 Per day where you reach a minimum of 7 servings of fruits and veggies (here are details on what is a serving)

Tuesday Thoughts.

2011-11-22T15:14:00.000-05:00

Since Thursday is Thanksgiving - I doubt I will get a Three Things Thursday out since that will be a family day - so I decided to do Tuesday Thoughts ... and I will not be limited to just 3 things. I am still in total shock that we are about to be in December. Like where has 2011 gone? Time flies the older you get. =/

1. We are leaving for Northern Virginia today after work. We = Me. Kyle. And the 2 dogs. I am getting a little anxious about the two dogs because I will have to have them the whole time. I am trying to make Kyle take them on Friday night - Saturday, but so far I am losing that battle. Having the 2 dogs really makes it impossible to run (really having 1 dog does this too) and there are some routes I really like back home. I just feel REALLY bad dumping the dog(s) on my parents when I know they're more of a pain than anything.

2. During the week I feel like I am REALLY good at hydrating myself - on the weekends I feel like I am really bad at it. I don't know why, but I am. So, I really really want this. I am probably going to fall into some big amazing marketing ploy & it won't really actually work. But it is worth a shot? ...Or I can make a bigger effort to just drink water on the weekends?

3. I need a December race. If you're in Atlanta start suggesting. I don't want to do the one in the Highlands because I predict parking will be a total nightmare and I like my pre-race activities to be stress free.

4. The Run to the Finish - Holiday Booty Buster Challenge started this past weekend. And I meant to run this weekend, I really did. But then I got consumed with Football and Christmas Shopping and Christmas Movies (thanks Hallmark Channel) and dogs and super tiredness and laundry and packing to go home to VA and bathing the dogs. HOWEVER - I got some miles in at lunch on Monday. I was not going to let this week go by with 0 miles and 0 working out. Those miles were not pretty, but they are done!

5. All I want for Christmas is a new Road ID. Seriously, especially if I am going to be running outside in the Perimeter Mall area on lunch breaks. These stay at home moms in big SUVs are scary. I feel like I am destined to be hit by a car (even in a crosswalk). Therefore, I would like to have some sort of ID on me. And I lost my old one ... and I want my new one to have my blood type on it. And I want the one that attaches to my shoe (that way I cannot lose it).

6. I need both Pure Barre and Blast 900 to have crazy holiday sales. I want to bring both back into my life after the 1st of the year -- especially Pure Barre, but the classes are so expensive I have a hard time justifying them. Especially Pure Barre because I feel like you have to go a lot to see results, but I feel like Pure Barre will help the most to make me wedding dress pretty. I wish things like that were not crazy expensive, I have bills and life to pay for.

....oh how exhausted am I.

foto friday - mercedes half marathon medal.

2011-11-04T08:50:00.001-04:00

So I have decided to run the Mercedes Half Marathon in February. It is in Birmingham so it is a REALLY quick drive from Atlanta so I can run it and then come back the same day. AND the medal is really cool. AND it will be a month before my wedding so this can be my forced working out to get skinny minnie for the wedding. AND I can use this as an opportunity to see some of my favorite Alabama people ever. AND I can go to Mugshots for a killer good hamburger since they now have one in Birmingham. Oh, and the race entry is/was wickedly cheap. =D

three things thursday

2011-11-03T20:15:00.000-04:00

1. have you read about how they're thinking about making the new york marathon a 2 day race. If not... you can get all the details HERE. I have not run the NYCM but it is on my bucket list and when the lottery opened up for this year I toyed with the idea of trying to enter it {and man am I glad I did not}. ....but I (may be alone in this thinking) but there is something about this marathon and the excitement and suspense of knowing if you did or did not get in. And I understand that the demand to run this race has and is growing, but I don't think that should change the process of getting in. But I am not a fan of how they're getting rid of the guaranteed entry... guess I will have to get lucky. ;)

2. I am still really shocked at how EASY the 5k I ran this weekend was. Running 2 miles in my 'hood is hard - I blame the hills, but obviously the hills have helped a lot. Now I am looking for a 5k for November and a 10k for December. I actually have the Run Georgia web site pulled up and am trying to decide what to run. I am *hoping* to be amping up the miles soon. I registered for The Mercedes Half Marathon for next February in Birmingham and I WILL RUN THIS RACE. No more DNS.

3. I am so excited for everyone running Savannah this weekend but I am also so bummed that I am not running it. There is always next year... I kinda regret cancelling my hotel room and kept thinking I should just go to spectate... but that is a lot of money to just spectate. But I hope everyone has a lot of fun and has a great race this weekend!!

big pumpkin 5k :: race photos

2011-11-02T19:10:00.001-04:00

ohhh pictures are up and ready! ….one is good the other I look like death. And yes, yes I am wearing gloves. It was COLD!

Big Pumpkin 5k :: Race Review

2011-10-30T12:32:00.000-04:00

I ran this race 2 years ago in the cold and rain. Honestly, it was pretty miserable but it taught me a life running lesson: if rain is predicted pack a change of clothes. But this year I got a tiny bit luckier. Clear skies make for a great race but holy moly was it cold. But still great weather once you got moving.

Morning: as usual, I had all my race gear laid out so all I had to do was quickly change, brush my teeth, throw my hair in a pony tail, take out the dogs and feed them and go. (okay, actually, that sounds like a lot.) BUT I had shorts and a tee planned so I got to dig for capris and then walked into my closet a few times wondering if I should grab a running jacket and decided no (which may have been a bad idea or may not have, I am still unsure) ...I was somehow not running late as I got on the road. Which was good, because I live WAY farther away now than I did a few years back.

Pre-Race: I remembered from 2 years back to get their early because parking can be a pain, which was not the case this year. I grabbed a parking spot quickly and then headed to get my race number, which a few years back was a cluster but this year was flawless (despite the woman in front of me that wanted turn by turn directions of the course) Once I got my race number I headed back to my car to stay warm and then 10 minutes before the race started I got out to settle in and people watch. And oh there were some characters and way too many Auburn fans.

The Race: Since I am slow and out of shape I of course lined up near the back semi in the middle, which obviously was not needed. I remembered that the race had some "great" hills (as the website describes them) so I wanted to start off slow and not burn any and all energy that I had. The start was kinda a cluster since we had to run through his arch that was not big enough for crowds to run through but once my iPod was on I settled into a slower pace that I felt comfortable with. I started picking people off, one after the other. We approached our first hill and I thought um that is not bad at all and trucked up it with ease. Still, picking people off. As we approached the 1st mile water stop I was still going (say what?!) and took water from a guy my age in a LSU jacket and told him "thank you and Roll Tide" (I just had to!) What was the best about this race was that it was smaller - still some people who have no idea about racing and race etiquette - but it was good. The hills were not bad and most were followed by a down hill. What I am kicking myself for is around mile 2.5 I realized that I wasn't going to PR (thinking my PR was like 31 minutes) so I let myself walk a little more to take my gloves off and have some easy breathing. SO WRONG. I totally going have PRed had I not taken that breather. But oh well. You win some you lose some.

Most importantly - I finished strong. I wasn't winded - I didn't overextend myself at any point during the race.
Overall it was a good race - really well organized - super easy course - the finisher shirt is great - still an ultimate favorite.
But newbie runners please remember these tips:
1. If you're gonna walk, line up at the back not the front. Weaving around you isn't a lot of fun.
2. If you're gonna run with your dog, make sure they're leash trained and maybe have run with you in the past. Nothing is worse than having a dog all over the place). My dogs = horrible, they will never run a race with me.
3. If you're looking for your run buddy - don't stop in the middle of the course and look around - pull off to the side to continue your hunt.

Finishing time: 34:13
Pace: 11:02
I was 564 of 970

Can't wait to see race pictures.

just a reminder -- i am always interested in hearing about your races and what you loved and hated - so if you want a guest spotlight on my blog -- email me (barbara.a.vines@gmail.com) a mini race report about any race you have done and i will share it with my readers. hey and you may get more blog followers.

Life oh Life.

2011-10-26T20:28:00.001-04:00

A few weeks back Big Peach mentioned a free 5k in their little email newsletter and since I have told myself that when I run I am running nothing less than the 5k distance I thought this would be a great little training run. I was pumped. I was excited. I planned my day out perfectly. I skipped my lunch break so I could get out early and try to beat some of that awful awful Peach Pass traffic that jacks up 285 then life and work happened.

And by the time I hit 285, I knew I had at the minimum 1 hour to just go like 10 miles.... but I had to go further than 10 miles. I had to get to Decatur. And I knew it would not happen. So I ranted to Kyle on the phone about my bad day and fed my brother's cats and then put on my shoes and ran on my own.

bad days make for the best run days. they're mind clearing. calming. let you think. let you get the frusterations and the annoyances out. i just lose myself in my pace and my steps and my music. i would say i need more bad days but i hate bad days. but i do need more runs.

so it sucks i missed the free 5k, but i do have a real structured 5k on Saturday so I will knock that on out. And life goes on...

...but i happier non-running related news. My Erin Condren planner came and I am in love. love love.

foto friday - hilarious

2011-10-21T10:31:00.001-04:00

I saw this on Pinterest awhile back and I have no idea why I am just now posting it but in my world - I find this funny and probably very very true. I mean have you seen some of my race photos?

I hope you all have an awesome weekend and if you're racing, best of luck!

Three Things Thursday

2011-10-20T20:08:00.000-04:00

1. I decided against Rock and Roll Savannah this year. Hotel has been cancelled. This year has sucked majorly for running and I just decided that if I was going to spend all that money I wanted to enjoy it. And I knew that I wouldn't enjoy suffering through the race and then I wouldn't enjoy having to drive back from Savannah for the LSU game so I just said scratch that. I kinda feel like I cannot even call myself a runner this year since I have slacked SO much but it happens. Le Sigh. This is me and my little violin. But with that said, I will run at least 1 5k per month for the rest of the year. I will work my way back into this running thing and I will hit the half marathons again in 2012. Quote me.

But - when I announced that I was not going to run it - just mentally and physically unprepared I was told by a wise runner pal on Twitter (@swim_bike_run) "sometimes racing smart means not racing at all. You're not lowering the bar, you're adjusting your goals :)" and that comment is still just amazing.

2. So I merged the dog blog into my wedding/life blog and now I am trying to figure out how to merge this one into that one. I don't want to lose all my followers - I don't know if they merge into one - and I would have to broadcast that the blog has moved. It just seems like a lot. And also - what if I start to become a running fool again will I want a separate running blog? Decisions Decisions.

3. So I am getting married in 5 months and 4 days (or something like that) and I have been very inactive. Most brides try and shrink for their wedding day and it isn't that I'm not trying to be super ultra fit, I have just been slacking. (are you tired of hearing about that yet...) but I saw this Holiday Bootie Buster challenge that I am SO going to try an attempt to do well to try and get me back into this running thing. I am hoping this will give me some sort of motivations right? Thanks Elizabeth for mentioning it in your Three Things Thursday!! Now I gotta get ready to bust out some work outs starting November 19th.

Three Things Thursday.

2011-10-13T10:32:00.000-04:00

Today is so rainy that I wish I had taken a mental health day and could stay snuggled in bed or on the couch with my two pup pups. But, no such luck.

1. I am thinking that once I get married... I am going to merge this blog into this blog (I actually already changed the blog name to "The Shanahan Shenanigans" because I want to make sure it is not gone by the time I am actually a Shanahan) and then merge this one (which I need to rename as well) into that one as well. It is kinda hard to keep track of 3 blogs and since the wedding one will turn into a life update one and lets be honest, I am not doing a heck of a lot of running or racing I think these can all be merged together. HOWEVER... I'd like to somehow keep my past race history tab and my PR area and my race bucket list tab. So I would need to figure out how to work that all in. Granted I have 163 days to figure it out. Any suggestions?!

2. There is a FREE 5k in Decatur on October 26th that I am doing and excited about. Because 1. I LOVE Decatur and 2. I love Chocolate. It starts at the Big Peach in Decatur (114 E. Trinity Place, Decatur 30030) and then runs for 3.1 miles and then get Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa and Chocolate Fondue. No fancy schwag bags or anything - but if I understand right ... The Chocolate Tour is scouting Atlanta as a race location. But as usual, don't quote me on that.

3. Still debating Savannah. No set decision made as of right now. But I am leaning towards no. And Kyle also is leaning towards no. I have never been THIS unprepared for a race ... normally I am pretty unprepared but in shape enough to tough it out.... but this would be too many miles of toughing it out. You know?

RnR Savannah.

2011-10-12T10:22:00.000-04:00

I am really beginning to wonder if I should even attempt Rock and Roll Savannah this year. Really my running has slacked in 2011 and I feel like I just won't have fun. I just don't know why I would pay the money to get there and back in gas and then the hotel to suffer through 13.1 miles and then drive back that day (probably right after the race) to watch the LSU game with Kyle and then HURT for days after. I just am not prepared for like 4 miles let alone 13.1. Listen to me complain. Blah Blah Blah. I just don't think running is in the cards for me in 2011 since I have focused so much energy on Wedding Planning rather than running. maybe 2012.

In other news - I signed up for a 5k that I ran 2 years ago and really liked that is on 10.29.11. I would have run it last year but I was up in DC for the Marine Corps Marathon. And then there is another 5k in November I want to do. And I am sure I can find a holiday oriented one in December. Maybe 2011 will be the year of the 5ks. ;)

Marathon Coupon Code

2011-10-06T09:03:00.000-04:00

Hey Hey!

So... I know everyone loves a good deal. So, if anyone is interested in running the Rock & Roll Nation's Capital Marathon on March 17, 2012 I have a coupon code for you.

For $10 off of the race entry use coupon code: 11RNRMG and then happy racing. I would totally do it; however, that is my bachelorette party weekend, but I decide to still share the wealth with you.

Hey Runners–help me out!

2011-10-03T10:39:00.000-04:00

I got this idea from Run Courtney Run and a recent three things Thursday blog post that she did. …but for it to work and be successful I need your help!

So here we go – I want your input on all things racing. If you’re running a race (of any distance. 5k to marathons) and want to share your surface level opinions with the world – send them to me.

Now. I am not looking for full long winded race reports, just cliff notes versions. What did you like? What did you hate? How was the water and aid stations? Was the race a “must run” or a “yeah you can skip that one”? Was there a big hill at the end, in the middle, or was it all downhill? …. give me the basics, the nitty gritty, what YOU would want to know if you wanted to know about a race, what would you have liked to know going into the race.

At first I thought I would keep it just to Atlanta races only, but then I thought I should share the fun with all my readers since you all are from all over.

Send your cliff notes version of a race recap and any images and of course a link to your blog to – barbara.a.vines@gmail.com and I will get them posted.

foto friday–beat florida

2011-09-30T09:25:00.000-04:00

oh happy day! it is friday! =D tomorrow we (and by we, I mean Alabama’s football team) get to play florida. in the swamp. not going to lie. I am a little bit worried – but I have faith in my boys. So Roll Tide.

Anyway. Sunday is my 1st half marathon of the year. Correction: would have been, but I have decided to not run the race for many reasons. The biggest – I am just not ready and even though I am never really ready I can normally finish it out and be okay. I know I could “tough it out” … but I just don’t want to. I don’t think it is worth it.

So instead. Tomorrow I am going to get up, head to Lucky Schoals park and run the 1.13 mile running path and I am going to run as many loops as I can until I just HAVE to stop. I am going to run my own little mini in my mind race. And I have to get up early and do it because there is going to be A LOT of prep for this 8:00 football game.

And… I have my fingers crossed that the weather will start cooling down again and THEN I will start running my favorite parts of the Atlanta 13.1 course because it really is a great race.

In sadder and non running related news: Over the past few years I have begun to realize that life REALLY is so so so short. A guy I went to high school with died I a house fire this week and if has been bittersweet to read all the messages about him on Facebook. He will definitely be missed. ….You shouldn’t' hesitate to tell your family or friends that you love them.

three things thursday–truth edition.

2011-09-22T16:48:00.000-04:00

TRUTH #1. I am going to have to make a BIG decision on if I want to continue with Blast900 or not. I have a few reasons why I am trying to decide if I want to continue on or not, but it really comes down to money. It is SO expensive and I go once a week. I will never ever ever say a bad thing about Blast because it REALLY is a great workout. But looking at all the money I am spending on it vs. going to the gym – it just doesn’t really make sense. In addition I am not seeing a real big impact on my running – granted, many weeks Blast is my only workout. I just need to decide if it is worth it or not.

TRUTH #2. Um. I have a half marathon coming up that I am NO WHERE and I mean NO WHERE near ready for. I have never had a “DNS” but I kinda wonder if I should even attempt this. Yeah…. I blogged about this on Sunday but I have been thinking about it ever since. I am unsure if running 13.1 miles when I haven’t really run more than 3 is worth it – in the past when I have not been really ready, I have at least been in shape enough to push through, walk a bit then run. But I just do not think that is the case this go around.

TRUTH #3. I think I have like an OCD personality. My reasoning? I tend to throw myself fully into something but I can only really focus on 1 thing at a time. Last year it was running – this year it is wedding planning. I wish I could find a way to balance everything, but I tend to let 1 thing take over my life. Maybe since the wedding is pretty much planned – I just have more candy and candy buffet accessories, the guestbook, welcome bag stuffers, and some super cute signs to buy and then I am 100% done (I think). Maybe I can take the that time and move it to running.

New Running Spot & Atlanta 13.1

2011-09-18T17:33:00.003-04:00

I just ran a hot sweaty little 5k. A few months back, the non-runner I am going to marry told me about a walking trail at a park near our house. Who woulda thought, a non-runner would know walking trails. Today I thought I would go run and that I would run to the trail, run the 1 mile or so trail and then run home.

Truth: I.Was.Dying.

I live in a hilly little area. But I really liked that little walking/running trail. It is a little over a mile and I think I am going to run it more often. And hopefully in the future I will be able to run to it and back without thinking I am going to die.

But on that run, I got to thinking. I am scheduled to run Atlanta 13.1 in like 2 weeks.

Another truth: I am no where near ready.

I have never not run a race I was scheduled for unless I (a) got lost or (b) over slept. But I am seriously thinking about not running this half. Even though I LOVED this race last year I just don't know if I should or could run it. I think I would rather just take the time to cram for Savannah. There is no point to pushing my way thought it, not being able to walk, and suffering.

But... I am going to play it by ear.

three things thursday.

2011-09-16T12:10:00.000-04:00

Another week done. I sometimes feel like I am a hamster in a wheel. But that is okay because Thursday means we're closer to Saturday and Saturday = football.

1. I am working a 5k this weekend. My company is the head sponsor for some Children's Healthcare of Atlanta race this weekend and I am snobby and did not want to run since the course is pretty crappy, so I told them I would work the registration table. Plus, I have always thought about volunteering at a race but never actually have so now I can. However, having to be there at 6:30 AM is less that amazing in my book. But I guess that is why someone invented naps and sleeping in on Sunday. ;)

2. So, the weather is getting gorgeous and we have this golf course by my house and since my neighborhood kinda sucks in the running department (closed off, barely even 1 mile) I have been wanting to run the golf course. The weather is making me want to run the golf course even more. But I have no idea how. Do I ask if I can? They're gonna say no. Do I just hop the fence and ask for forgiveness late? I will take any and all suggestions. Golf course running is good running because of all the hills and sometimes the course is super shady!!

3. I was supposed to start traveling at the end of the month and then A LOT for the next 2 months but my work decided to push all the travel back a few months because we want to ensure the new software is 100% amazing and works just the way we want it to. No need to rush something that needs to work really well. So that means all my fun fall running spots aren't going to happen. And with that ... we're trying to condense the roll over into fewer weekends, which means instead of 4 new fun running cities I only get 2. Sad.

Running Quote.

2011-09-10T19:12:00.001-04:00

… Big Peach Sizzler 2011 Race Recap …

2011-09-09T21:11:00.000-04:00

I just may have lost my brain but because I have run this race the past 2 years I decided why the heck not and ran it again this year. I love everything Big Peach and I have always liked this race so even though I knew I was not prepared nor would I be on race day I decided to run it just to see how it would go and how I would be able to handle 6.2 miles.

Saturday I had a few errands to run around the Buckhead area and I slipped into Big Peach to pick up my race number and packet. I like having my number and shoe tag before the race so I do not have anything to worry about. Sunday night I got my race outfit and gear ready for the next morning and Monday morning I was up bright and early (after hitting the snooze button about 6 times) to let the dogs out, to grab something quick and easy to eat and then head to Chamblee to run 6.2 long miles. (The past 2 years I lived basically at the starting line, but we moved so I had to drive there this year.)

The race… it went as well as I expected it to and I expected it to be unpleasant. No lie, I woke up with a cramp behind my knee that I just could not shake (I’d like to blame Mulligan and him taking up the whole bed for that one…). I decided to just take the race slow, walk when I needed to walk and run when I could. I lined up on the right side and in the middle of the pack and was off. Mile 1 was good. The hill wasn’t hard (thanks Blast) and Mile 2 went well too (minus the bigger hill that I got 75% up and then took a walk break). Tropical Storm Lee decided to ran on us starting around mile 2 (for me) so needless to say it was a rainy race. I found a good steady groove around mile 3 but with that said I was doing a methodical walk/run and ran more when the song got me going. My body started to hurt around mile 4/mile 4.5 but I was kind of picking people off and passing people which as fine in my book. Mile 5 was the hardest and I was so happy to see the finish line partially because my body hurt and partially because I was wet.

In years past I had complained about water stops not being stocked and that was not the case this year. I think out of the past 3 years I have run it – this year went the smoothest. The post race party/expo thing was kind of a cluster, but I will blame that on the fact that they had to move it underground so it was more crowded than it had been in the past. Truthfully I grabbed my shirt and bolted because the parking deck underground was H-O-T and I needed air and away from stinky runners. The shirts are a bright neon no cars can say they didn’t see me coming orange (worst than traffic cones) but I will still rock it from time to time.

Once again… Big Peach put on a great race. =D

Finishing time: 1:15 Average Pace: 12:03

Big Peach Sizzler - Race Photo

2011-09-07T11:54:00.000-04:00

1st. I am going to do a race recap. I actually started it and then stopped and then started and then stopped. It is coming, but long story short The Big Peach Sizzler was good!

2nd. I am SO surprised I am not red and a hot mess in my formal race picture. I do notice that I am a heel strike runner when I should be doing toe first, but whatever.

3rd. I am not so sure why I am smiling, but I will take it. Guess I was happy to see the finish line. =D

Stay tuned for the race recap.

New Running Shoes!

2011-09-03T17:23:00.001-04:00

I went to Big Peach today to JUST pick up my race number for Monday’s 10k and walked out with my race number and a new pair of running shoes. Granted… I was just about due for a new pair, I am still wondering how exactly I walked out with shoes. I blame it on the 4 zillion workers in the shoe are that bombarded me. And really I just wanted to see the new color combo for my typical running shoe not walk out with a pair but oh well. As mentioned, I am almost due for a new pair and now I am prepared and I do need to start breaking in my pair for Atlanta 13.1 and Rock and Roll Savannah.

So here are my new shoes and let me tell you – they’re wickedly bright. You’ll be able to see my feet coming from 76 miles away. And for serious, this picture does not even do them justice… they are WAY brighter in real life. Like no joke, Lime Green, glow in the dark – but thankfully people will see me coming so I should *hopefully* never get hit by a car! I will probably start breaking these bad boys in this week.

I once read you should never pick a running shoe based on the shoe color and I of course will wear these Brooks shoes until they start giving me issues and then I will get refitted but really, who picks the color combos?!

Do you pick your shoes based on the color combo?

three things thursday.

2011-09-01T13:37:00.004-04:00

Oh goodness my life is a crazy amazing beautiful wonderful ride that I love and am enjoying. I feel like this year I have accomplished ZERO when it comes to my running goals and aspirations, but I am a whole new and different person than I was this time last year and I have my friends and family and Kyle and coworkers to thank.

1. Not running related: but I am SO SO SO SO SO excited for football season!! =) But kinda running related: Football Season = Fall and Fall = amazing running weather so now when I want to run I won't be able to wimp out and say "but it is too hot....." And fall also = lots of fun local Atlanta races.

2. I am running a 10k this upcoming Monday -- Big Peach Sizzler. It is my 3rd year running it and it is by far one of my favorite races here in Atlanta. Truthfully, I love all things Big Peach. There is a small chance I may die. I have not run 6.2 miles in I do not know how long. But I think I am not going to run it for a PR but just to finish it and see how I am doing. After all, I need to assess my fitness since I have a freaking half marathon coming up in October and November. Are there any other Atlanta kids running this race?

3. We had a foster dog that was amazing and brought so much joy to my life and to Kyle's. She 100% interupted out lives for 2 weeks and our working out schedule and then she got adopted to an amazing farm in South Carolina and I cried and I cried and as I got myself together and was heading to Stone Mountain to run my phone rang and it was the dog rescue letting me know that "Kennesaw was not going to work out, she has a "cat aggression" so someone needed to go get her". ....So we have this dog again. And we are bound and determined to not let her mess up our working out groove since we decided it is for the best and we are just going to keep her. SO, we're not the proud owners of two fabulous dogs! =D

work out rut.

2011-08-20T20:25:00.001-04:00

It is no secret. I have been in a total work out rut this year. I do not know why running has not been something of total interest to me, but I just have not made it a priority and with two half marathons looming in the near future, I REALLY need to get my butt in gear. I have fallen into the Blast900 on Mondays and spin on Thursdays (if I make it in time) but all my other grand and wonderful plans just tend to fall off the map.

So. Truthful moment. I am a pintrest addict. And recently I came across these “daily” workouts. They do not seem hard and seem to include a tiny bit of cardio each day as well as some strength work.

Since I am not going to do Monday’s since I get my butt kicked at Blast 900, I thought I would use Monday as an example. And you can see that they’re not too difficult but give you a variety of workouts to do. Many of the workouts are actually workouts we do at Blast so I do know how to do them… I just need to guy buy some weights so I can REALLY do the workouts. And I know I always talk about this great and grand work out ideas and then I do not stick with them… but I really hope to stick with these ones.

I have a lot going on in my life right now between work and getting ready to travel for work and wedding planning and our foster dog. (I have a feeling my mom and dad read that line about 97986325 times … yes I said foster dog … we can thank kyle j for that one). But I really hope to get all the working out back in my life.

I will share the other “daily” workouts with you as I do them – hey that should keep me accountable *hopefully* but I gotta run for now. Gotta get Kennesaw all ready for her 1st adoption event tomorrow. Wish her (and me) luck! =)

race i want to do but can't do. waaaahhhh.

2011-08-19T11:06:00.000-04:00

I was playing on Run Georgia this morning and I came across The Firefly Run. This 5k seems like the coolest race/run and I am totally bummed that I am running a half marathon the next day. But I will for sure have to find it in 2012 and run it.

It is a night run and they give you LED lights to wear, just like fireflies and it just seems super crazy cool. The race starts at 8:00 PM and with me having to wake up the next morning super early is is not gonna happen, but it looks so crazy cool.

I hope the 2012 "tour" comes to Atlanta again next year!

Not a Garmin but a Timex.

2011-08-02T19:08:00.000-04:00

if you have been reading my blog you know that I am coveting the new Garmin Forerunner 610 with the heart rate monitor. if you have not read those posts, no worries, it is just me telling you how much I want a new Garmin but don’t actually need a new one and the reasons why I think I need a new one. well in life I have this rule when it comes to expensive purchases: if I am still thinking about it 2 weeks later then I can have it. So if I was going to stick by that rule the Garmin would be mine, but I have decided to put it off for a few reasons. And those reasons are …

I am not running enough to shell out that much money. My battery dying Garmin works just fine for my 3 mile runs. Once I start running again and a lot – new Garmin it is.
I am going to need a new laptop. For some odd reason my current Garmin will not sync with my laptop so I cannot use the Garmin Connect program. It synced for awhile (and I LOVED the program) and now it doesn’t. So if I am going to shell out that much money on a watch I am going to use the Garmin Connect.
The price will go down soon enough – must wait it out.

But just because I have told myself that I cannot get the Garmin, the heart rate monitorr dream has not died and I still want one. So instead I am getting a Timex Ironman Road Trainer from REI. All I really want the HR monitor for is Blast900, Spin, treadmill runs, dog walks, Pure Barre, etc… I do want the HR monitor for outdoor long runs, but the majority of the reason I want it is indoor activities that do not require GPS, therefore, I do not really need the fancy Garmin.

Plus, since I am buying it from REI I can use my dividend from last year and get a discount and then the money spent on this I will get 10% back from REI for next year and if I do end up getting the Garmin 610 next year then I can use my dividend on it and get ANOTHER discount.

Look at me making educated spending decisions. Such a grown up. =)

life is awesome & words to live by.

2011-07-30T14:48:00.001-04:00

I feel like sometimes people just get so caught up in the day to day and they don’t step back to really just live. Over the past few weeks I have been swimming in meetings and work and wedding planning and friends that I have not taken time to myself. But as I was driving to Alabama last weekend I realized that this world really is beautiful and life is beautiful and as I was driving around running errands today I just realized how lucky I am … I have a truly awesome family who loves me and supports me and encourages me, the two boys in my life (Kyle and Mulligan) bring me SO much joy, I have a fabulous circle of girls here in Atlanta and in other places, and life is just a fabulous thing.

Then as I was roaming Home Goods I saw a wall hanging that I want to buy for our guest bedroom that just made me smile, but I didn’t buy it … but I may just end up going back and getting it. And even though I swore that I would only post about running and working about and being fit and healthy. I thought I would share it with you all.

This is your life. Find a passion and pursue it. Fall in love. Dream Big. Drink Wine, Eat Great Food, and spend quality time with great friends. Laugh Everyday. Believe in Magic. Tell Stories. Reminisce about the good old days, but look with optimism to the future. Travel Often. Learn more. Be Creative. Spend time with people you admire. Seize Opportunities when they reveal themselves. Love with all your heart. Never give up. Do what you love. Be true to who you are. Make time to enjoy the simple things in life. Spend time with family. Forgive even when it is hard. Smile Often. Be Grateful. Be the change you wish to see in the world. Follow your dreams. Try new things. Work hard. Don’t count the minutes count the laughs. Embrace change. Trust in yourself. Be thankful. Be nice to everyone. Be happy. Live for today. And above all … Make Every Moment Count.

three things thursday.

2011-07-28T14:35:00.000-04:00

This week has flown by. And I have been SO busy at work that it is not even remotely funny. My work out at lunch deal is not working... I have packed my work out clothes but the meetings that I have been in over our new software system have made it unable to work out. umph.

1. My friend Afton wants me to teach her how to run and wants me to give her tips and secrets and pointers but I feel like such a sham. I feel like I am the farthest thing from a runner and with all the advice she asks I give her my suggestions, but then I remind myself that I am no pro and barely even a runner this year. Other than telling her to get professionally fitted for shoes and that she does not need to go out and buy a Garmin yet and that she really shouldn't increase her miles by too much each week (10% is what I told her) and that cotton sucks I really have nothing else to tell her. I feel like I am right there with her, trying to learn to run again. Oi. What advice do you give new runners? What hints do you recommend I give her?

2. I am REALLY excited to travel for work. Partially because I enjoy training people, but I am really looking forward to it because I get to run in new places and new cities. I am really excited to run by the arch in St. Louis and then at Salem Lake in Winston-Salem and on the beach in Florida. I even picked one of my hotels because there was a "jog path" 3 miles away. And since I am going to be alone for 2 nights I am going to need things to do so why not run? Right?! :)

3. I still cannot stop thinking about that Garmin 610 - REI has them in stock by my house but I don't want to buy it. I am thinking I am going to settle for a *cheaper* heart rate monitor that I can use for pure barre, blast, spin, and whatever else. I will own that 610 at some point but just not now. Right now I cannot see a REAL purpose for it and if I am going to spend that much money I need a purpose.

Work Travel

2011-07-22T19:21:00.000-04:00

Total dork alert. I get to travel for work starting soon. And by soon I mean October, which really isn't soon... but soon enough. My company is switching software programs/applicant tracking systems and in addition to training out of our home office we're sending people out to be on site with a branch starts their week off with a whole new software. It is going to be hell. Happy Monday you have no idea what you're doing.

But... my cities are... Winston-Salem NC, St. Louis MO, Melbourne FL, and Charlotte NC.

I am excited to travel for work and run in new locations and explore new cities... but I am really excited about running in random spots. :o) Like I can't wait to run by the Arch in St. Louis (or under it if I can...) and run on the beach in Melbourne and near the beach and take lots of pictures and make fun little running recap blogs. We are going to be in our designated city from Sunday - Tuesday so I should get in some running.

See, I told you, I am a dork.

Three Things Thursday.

2011-07-14T12:54:00.000-04:00

1. I started running at the gym at lunch and it may be a really bad idea. Because you see, when I run ... I RUN ... and I sweat and I turn bright red ... and then I have to go back to the office. The other day our VP of Payroll said "you look hot" ... yeah I was. BUT, I feel like that is the only way I will get my run in because by the time 5:30 rolls around all I want to do is go home, eat dinner, and then lay around. Laying around does not equal active. And, my parents are coming in town today till next week sometime and that means working out will be hard unless I do it at lunch... so sweaty lunchtime runs it is. :o)
2. So after one Blast900 class the instructor was talking about heart rate monitors and seeing how many calories were burned (and we all know, I'm not really burning 900 calories) so my interest was perked. And then there was a guest blogger on Blast900's blog last week who was talking about how it felt like she was dying but by looking at her HR monitor she knew she could push harder and not die. I really want a HR monitor - but I don't want to buy one because the Garmin I want has a HR monitor as part of it. But with that said, I don't want to shell out all that money for a new Garmin. But then I was at Blast Monday and running on the treadmill Tuesday and my mind kept going to a HR Monitor. I wish I had done more research when I bought my 1st Garmin and I could have gotten on with one, but back then I didn't understand/realize/know how helpful and awesome they could be. I mean I could buy the new one (and I have a REI dividend), sell the old one and put that money to the new one... but what if I cannot sell the old one.

3. My friend Lydia and I went to spin class together yesterday and it was by far the worst spin class I have ever been too. And Lyd agreed. We actually left 30 minutes in because it was so bad. She didn't crank the music up, she had zero energy (very blah) and there was nothing happening that made you want to work and want to be there. so we left. yeah, we're slackers. BUT we both did 15 minutes on the treadmill prior to spin... so that is 45 minutes of work. makes up for it right?!

Sale Alert! Sale Alert!

2011-07-13T13:16:00.000-04:00

Hidden (non-running) secret about me. Even though I LOVE nice things I really try to not spend full price on pretty much anything. I celebrate the little victories (like this weekend, between coupons and my Kroger card I saved $36 on groceries!) and love finding good deals. And... even more I like sharing the good deals.

And here are some:

1. The Joyful Bath Co now offers their salts on drugstore.com - well you can stock up on their wonderfulness NOW. I love their salts because they're not boring, but still do the trick after hard workouts. I also adore Oasty Floatsie mixed with Nilla Buttermilk -- puts me right to sleep at night. Each jar is like $2.48 off which does not seem like a lot, but hey I will totally take it!
2. The Publix Marathon is currently at a low price ($60 for the half, $80 for the full) BUT with this fun little coupon code thanks to The Big Peach Running Company you can get a discount. Codes: BPRC5 = $5 off the half and BPRC10 = $10 off the full .... I will totally be taking advantage of this, but I gotta check the race date out first.
3. My personal favorite is this website 6pm.com -- they currently have a boat load of Nike stuff on their site. Everything from tempo shorts to skirts to shirts to sports bras. Things are ranging 30% - 70% off and 6pm has other awesome running clothes too. If I was not on a spending freeze for the month of July and possibly August too I would be snatching things up.

Well.... 3 does not seem like a lot, but I wanted to share some spending fun with you. :o)

three things thursday.

2011-07-07T15:52:00.002-04:00

it has been a while since i have done a three things thursday - but since i am trying my very very best to keep this running and working out related, i have not had too much to report on.

1. i have been going to blast900 once a week, every week for 3 weeks now and it does not get easier, but i have found that it has made me stronger and my endurance is getting better. i thought it would get easier as the weeks went on, but it has not been getting easier since all the instructors make each class different and you never know what you're walking into. i won't get to do it this week since my 6pm monday class was cancelled for the 4th and because i was not even in atlanta... but i really like it (even though 30 minutes in i say i hate it) and want kyle j to come with me -- the 1st class is free! :o) they're supposedly looking for locations in northern va, so if they do open locations here i can go when i am home for holidays and when we move back....

2. i really really really want the new garmin forerunner 610. my 405 is like 2 or 3 years old and has been acting REAL glitchy and is not holding a charge very well once it gets turned on and is in training mode, so i want to upgrade. plus i want the HR monitor and I like that is has stronger satellite signals so i won't lose it like i did during the Nashville Half and Atlanta 13.1 last year. but, i won't let myself buy it because (a) I'm not running enough to warrant buying a new one (b) my 405 works well enough, i just need to remember to put it on the charger after use (c) it is way way way too expensive and (d) because i am in total saving money mode. but i am allowed to dream of it right? plus in a years time the price should *hopefully* drop.

3. i went home for the 4th of july and did not even get to run at my most favorite running spot ever - burke lake. i totally planned on running it at least once, but my mom's check engine light went out when i was driving it one day and cars with check engine lights on freak me out. whenever we decide to move back to NoVa (kyle needs to stop making excuses especially since he "hates georgia so much") I will run there as often as humanly possible. i didn't even run the neighborhood - i just laid in bed like a bum and slept till almost 12:00 most days.

to do list.

2011-06-22T18:45:00.000-04:00

1. I need to find a July race. a 5k preferably to run – near the end of the month would be best since I will be gone the 1st part of the month. if anyone has any suggestions, thrown them my way.

2. put together a schedule that makes sense that also lets me get in miles but lets my body recover. but includes blast and spin and I would love to work pure barre in like once a month at least.

3. stretch more. foam roll more. that is probably why my legs scream at me and hate me.

4. not gorge myself on the weekends and friday nights. monday – thursday i eat so well. friday – sunday I only eat crap and it ruins everything I do earlier in the week.

5. um. start training for atlanta 13.1 and RnR Savannah.

6. get up on saturday mornings and get out to stone mountain and run. or piedmont park. or both alternating weekends.

Blast900 -- review number two.

2011-06-21T10:10:00.001-04:00

I know I reviewed Blast900 a few months back. But I feel like I did not give it justice. I had gone once and took to my blog talking about it. By no means am I an expert or a pro at it -- in fact I still struggle every single time I go -- but I feel like I can give it a better "review" now that I have gone 4 or 5 times.

I thought by showing a video you may get a MUCH better understanding of what goes on at Blast900. It is not an easy hour long workout and it really is for people who want to be pushed and want to work. But if you stop reading here I will let you know that I 100% recommend it.

Blast can and will seriously kick your butt. The nice thing about it is you work 100% at your own pace but with a push. When on the treadmill you work at a runner, jogger, or walker pace and me ... yeah I start as a jogger and then rotate between walker and jogger ... but when "walking" ... it is not a stroll in the park it's a power, must get to the sale at the mall walk. The ultimate goal - to burn the 900 calories, but I highly doubt I have ever actually burned 900 calories. You rotate between the treadmill (running, sprints, crazy steep hills) and the floor (core work, arms, back, weights, bands, balls, if it can torture you - they have it) -- it is killer fast interval work. Each class is 1 hour and each "block" is a certain length of time. Most recently for me it has been 5 minute blocks (5 minutes on the treadmill, 5 on floor, 5 on treadmill, 5 on floor ... got it?) but there have been 10 minute blocks and shorter than 5 minutes. Last night... we did 1 minute on the treadmill, 1 minute of work around the treadmill... 1 minute back on 1 minute off (hello pain).

Each time I go I ask myself why I keep doing this to myself. I have never sweat so much when working out. But I keep going back because I know that I get an amazing workout there whether I burn the 900 calories or not. What I really like about it is that the instructors (as tough as they are) don't really call you out for slacking - they gently nudge you to say I see you and there is something about their way of saying it or looking at you that you feel like you're letting your parents down so you up your speed or you don't hold onto the treadmill for dear life (even if you stop holding on for just 5 seconds HA!). The people who teach the classes are just positive and peppy and there is something about the music that drowns you out.

Every week and workout is different so I never know what pain I am stepping into, but that is kinda nice. I am REALLY hoping that this tones me for my wedding and gets me faster and stronger for my running. I never know exactly how many miles I run each time I am there so I guess around 2.5 since my treadmill always says 4+ .... but since we keep them running when we're on the floor I never really know. But I know the sprints (which I'd like to thank Richard for giving me the confidence to actually SPRINT) and the crazy hills will get me stronger and hopefully faster. I will report back after my half marathon in October!

The first class is always free so if you're in Atlanta and have not yet tried it out or if you are passing through for business and want something new -- they have locations in both Buckhead and Dunwoody. Tim Tebow even did Blast when he was in town a few months back. And... of course let them know that I referred you and report back on how you like it! :o)

30 day challenge. week one.

2011-06-19T18:14:00.001-04:00

so I started my 30 day challenge this week and I had this whole entry planned out to tell you all about my little victories and everything amazing I did this week. and then my week happened and let’s talk about how good I did not do. I don’t want to say I did bad, because I didn’t do BAD but it really was a horrible attempt at greatness.

monday. I started with a vengeance. I went to blast900 that night – atlanta traffic was so bad the teacher was 15 minutes late but I stuck around because it was day 1 and I had to do it. and I did it and it was hard. but 100% well worth it. the class only had like 8 people in it (normally there is 25 but I think since it was dunwoody over buckhead that mattered) so we all got a little extra “loving” attention from richard. I normally slack on the sprints – but he wouldn’t let me so it gave me the much needed confidence to do them well every time going forward.

tuesday I was still going strong. I pushed through a 1.74 mile hilly run that was awful because I hurt from blast and because it was hot and humid. (hello atlanta summers). I wanted to quit around mile 1 but I made myself turn right instead of going left and going home. my neighborhood is really hilly.

wednesday I planned to hit spin class, but my legs hurt so I bailed. and then I just crawled in bed for amazingly bad tv. thursday… I planned to go to the gym. but I didn’t. and once I again I did nothing.

friday we did walk the dog for 20 minutes in the rain. saturday, I walked the dog as well – I slacked. I woke up accidently at 6:30 am when it was 65* and should have gotten out of bed and RAN but I watched Gilmore Girls instead. but sunday I wouldn’t let myself be a total slacker and I hit the gym for a 30 minute swim. annnnnd I gave mulligan his 30 minute walk.

I also did HORRIBLE on the no sweets … well horrible is dramatic I had some and I also had 1 glass of wine at a work function on thursday. Oi. I guess things in moderation is better than gorging myself.

next week will be better – and I am starting off with blast900 again. I think it is all about figuring the week out and working out around what muscles I worked the day before … however I need to run more than not run since I signed up for the atlanta 13.1 race in october since I liked it so much last year. on saturday morning I have my free fitness evaluation & personal trainer consultation/workout so I know for a fact he will kill me. oh well…. onto another week! =)

Out of town running.

2011-06-15T22:11:00.001-04:00

No. No I am not traveling *currently* but I am possibly heading to Austin in a few weeks for work which as dorky as this sounds excites me. My company is also in the process of switching applicant tracking systems/databases so when we do switch they will be sending people out to train the branches on the new software. I was told today that I am part of the “team” that will go out and train on the new program. There are a few of us that will be “experts” and will be in the field for awhile. One girl was told to finish her Christmas shopping because come August she was going to be on the road a lot. …..and there is a good chance that will be me too.

Locations I could land for that – Austin. South Carolina. North Carolina. Florida. Birmingham. Seattle. St. Louis. Pennsylvania. Phoenix. Michigan. The possibilities are endless.

Truthfully, I am excited about seeing other cities and running in other cities. Any suggestions on how to travel and train?!

half way to 2012 -- goals check in.

2011-06-11T20:18:00.003-04:00

Happy June. Happy 6 months into 2012. So, lets check in on my 2011 goals and see how I am doing.

RUNNING

goal one. find a work.life.relationship balance with the world of working out and running. 2010 was all about getting the job done and sacrificing runs. 2011 will be about getting the job done but also getting my work out in. how this will happen... tbd. [well. as you know. i got a new job within the same company and i get out at a reasonable hour. i do still struggle with the getting a run in part. the 1st of the year, was a total wash miles wise]

goal two. blast900. it is pricey but i want to do it at the minimum 2 times per month. it is a killer work out and can do/will do a lot for my stamina and running. [did not do it a lot at the beginning of the year, maybe once per month. but starting monday, i will do it every monday.]

goal three. focus on the little races and increasing speed and stamina. I would like to run a sub30 5k this year and run a 10k in under a hour and a 2 hour half marathon. [has not happened yet this year. i have only run 1 5k though and i didn't do too bad. i have 6 more months to accomplish this one]

goal four. vary the workouts. if that means rejoining a gym, that means rejoining a gym to get in swimming and spin. or just finding the local rec center and seeing what they have to offer. [between pure barre, blast900, and bootcamps i have been doing various things, but slacking on the running. just rejoined LA Fitness so I need to add in the swimming and spin again]

goal five. run more than 500 miles in 1 year. [lets all laugh out loud at this one. miles to date: 32.99 -- hahaha i have been a lazy lazy this year!!]
goal six. find a running buddy or group to hold me accountable [i have not even looked or tried to find one. this was/is a lofty goal. i have 6 months to accomplish this.]
goal seven. train for big races. fully train. stick to the training schedule. [um. this is about to start. rock and roll savannah i will train right for]

goal eight. not run a marathon. (you're probably saying WHAT?) but i would like to focus more on finding and making a routine and a balance between life, work, and running so when i do decide to do another one I am 100% committed to all the runs and workouts. [as of right now, I am on track. I turned down Chicago and Marine Corps. And I really do not see myself pounding out 26.2 in 2011]

PERSONAL

goal one. floss more. wear my crest white strips more often. i have a wedding that i need REALLY pretty teeth for. [this may be gross. but i floss on the couch or in bed while watching tv. is that tmi? but i do need to crack the whip on the white strips.]

goal two. read more. i'd like to read at least 1 book per month. 12 books per year.

goal three. save more. spend less. 110% stick to my monthly budgets. [some months i am awesome. others not so much. i wish i hated clothes]

goal four. find a house to rent here in atlanta to give my crazy dog a backyard to run in. [done and done. dog loves the backyard!!]

goal five. volunteer with an organization. no idea yet. if you have ideas, please send them my way. [i volunteered for a weekend in tuscaloosa. not really with an organization. but since that trip i have really thought about getting involved with the humane society here in atlanta or a rescue organization.]

goal six. one diet coke per day. all year long. cut back on the sweets. eat healthier. [this is so hit or miss. but failing pretty much]

goal seven. take kyle to an alabama football game. in bryant denny. [football season has not started yet, but i dont think this one will happen either only because we're saving up for our honeymoon and a game in the stadium can be expensive]

goal eight. take 1 bubble bath per week. 4 spa days per year. learn to decompress. [zero spa days to date. but i need one. happy birthday to me. anyone? and not a bath every week, but often enough to not go insane]

....now you tell me. how are you doing with your 2011 goals?!

I am doing it. 30 day challenge that is.

2011-06-07T18:18:00.001-04:00

I am sick so my creativity and motivation has been zapped. so uncreative that I originally titled this blog “30 day challenge” – sound familiar? It should. It is what I called my last entry. Then all I could think of was “I am doing it”

So here we go. Starting Monday. Something active EVERY day. no excuses. To kick it off I ordered a kettle ball workout (with kettle ball) since everyone RAVES about them. And I am hoping that Blast900 in Dunwoody is unflooded (that isn’t even a word, but I will let it slide since I am sick) by Monday.

I think the hardest part will be that during this 30 day challenge thing I will (1) go home to VA and I always mean to work out but never do and (2) my parents will be in Atlanta so I am gonna have to work something in.

AND… just call me an overachiever but I have decided to take it a step further and cut sweets out of my life for a month again. And limit myself to 1 diet coke per day. And. No alcohol.

Wish me luck. I am gonna need it. =)

30 day challenge.

2011-06-04T16:55:00.000-04:00

One of the blogs I read (Lawgirl Runs) is doing something called a 30 day challenge. If I understand correctly, it pretty much means she is doing something active for 30 days straight. A few months back I did a 30 day personal revolution and surprisingly I did REALLY well. So here I am thinking that if I make myself do my own personal 30 day challenge I may do much better at this working out thing than just relying on me to do something.

So I am going to let this idea marinate a little bit and then maybe, quite possibly do it. I just have a hunch it would be hard since I'm going home soon and home to me equals total laziness. And I would have to start after I kick this summer cold that is beating me up right now.

I think I could totally do it since I told myself that once this cold is dunzo, I would start doing Blast900 each and every Monday after work. And that is 1 day out of the 7 covered. And dog walks are something active too... I could totally do this.

I will keep you posted.

Three Things Thursday.

2011-06-02T13:56:00.000-04:00

1. I feel like my blog has taken a turn away from running and has crossed over into more of a "this is my life" blog. Which I think it is okay to share somethings, but I think I want to get back to the basics of running & working out/fitness ... which is why I started this to begin with. After all this is Barbie Runs, not Barbie Lives (though, I do live). I do have a wedding planning blog which in less than a year can be where I keep up with the day to day happenings in our life. So starting today *hopefully* 97% of this will be related to me and my running.

2. speaking of running - i have been doing very little of it. i was on a roll and then i got distracted and now it is REALLY hot. i am going to have to figure something out, because i need to be running. can someone in Atlanta keep me accountable? please.

3. i am looking for a 5k to do this month and then i want to get back into the 1 race per month grind that i was in last year. if anyone has any suggestions of good ones or ones they're running, let me know! =)

National Running Day

2011-06-01T09:43:00.000-04:00

Today is national running day! If you're looking for some ways to celebrate HERE are some ideas!

My favorite? Idea number 8:
Choose a running resolution – Kick off a new fitness goal on National Running Day. It can be anything, including adding five minutes to your next run, running a new distance, or signing up for a road race.

(I like it because I am lazy) And my new fitness goal: Blast900 each and every Monday after work and before Mexican Monday. As well as 2 solid runs per week! :o)

How are you spending your National Running Day?!

our tuscaloosa trip

2011-05-31T13:14:00.002-04:00

It has taken me a few days to put this together and to wrap my head around our weekend in Tuscaloosa. I brought my camera with me because I wanted to get pictures for this post, but then I thought to myself this is not a tourist attraction. pictures don’t need to be taken, there is work to be done. and trust me when I say, the pictures do not do it justice. and if you watch the news, you have seen what tuscaloosa looks like right now.

The 1st time I saw 15th Street I was speechless. It took everything in me to not cry. I know there were business and restaurants there, but what they were, I cannot tell you. Forest Lake … there is really a lake back there, I always thought it was a little pond. But no, it is a full big lake. For miles all you see are houses were just flattened and what houses were still standing are covered in tarps. There are houses and buildings that have the katrina markings to notify of body counts. As you drive into Downtown you can see kids playing in the fountain, but not even 400 feet away is a big FEMA setup. Flags all over town are still flying at half mast. And I swear, if you never watched the news and drove certain parts of that town you would never know a massive tornado had hit that town a month ago. Devastation is the only word I can use to describe what we saw as we drove down 15th street. I was telling Kyle how you’re not supposed to see certain landmarks from certain parts of the city, but now you can. I saw things that I never thought I would see and it was all in a town that I love.

And Saturday and Sunday for the 1st time in the longest time I was without my phone. I felt that I needed to 100% be focused on helping out and updating my facebook or twitter page could be and should be saved for after I was in the hotel, showered, and done for the day. And it was amazing to not see 1 phone out the whole time we were working. I guess America really can disconnect from their phones when it matters.

Saturday: Kyle and I got up REALLY early. 6:30 AM early and were at the Animal Shelter by 8:00 AM. I secretly was hoping to be able to walk the dogs and give the dogs baths and be able to love on them – but when we got there we were asked if we liked cats and were told we would help with the cats area. I am not a cat person at all, but we nodded and said we were there to do whatever. They ended up getting distracted by our donations and once my car was unloaded we ended up working in the garage cleaning out cages and moving animals. I immediately found 4 dogs I wanted and got teary but made myself not cry and got and dirty cleaning out cages. The worst was when we were told to sort and stack bowls since we were surrounded by super sad looking dogs. I made the BIG mistake when I decided I wanted to walk the shelter floor. There were so many beautiful dogs that so badly just want to find their families or go to a new home. Their eyes and their tail wags killed me and I lost it. *here come the tears thinking out it* I just wondered about them and who they belonged to. If I ever lost Mulligan in a tornado or anything, I would be at the shelter everyday looking for him. I saw 2 people leave with their dogs that day and it made me so happy, but I also saw 2 people come in looking for their dog and their dog not be there and the sadness and defeat in their face as they walked out of the shelter killed me and I had to fight back the tears (not doing a good job of holding them back now). We also saw someone bring a dog into the shelter which was sad too. And when I overheard the director talking about potentially having to euthanize some of the dogs due to over crowding it took everything in me not to cry. A dog is so innocent and so full of love, and over crowding is such a sad reason for a dog to be put to sleep. Please. If you’re ever in the market for a dog, rescue one. There are so many amazing dogs that need good homes and to be taken out of shelters. And I really believe a dog knows when you save them.

Sunday: We headed to the big Tuscaloosa Emergency Services donation warehouse around 10:00 AM to haul and sort donations. We got there and learned that they didn’t open till 1 normally on Sundays because of church but they did not want to turn away volunteers since they needed help and they put Kyle, me, and this other guy Blake right to work. And they had us sweating quick as we sorted foods into categories. We did pretty much everything from sorting food to hauling donations to various sides of the warehouse. It was unbelievable how many donations had been brought on and what was brought it. I think it is wonderful that people felt compelled to donate their belongings, but I wish people would think about what they were donating. This is not an opportunity for you to ditch your junk. We sorted empty tins, single crushed pop tarts, left over christmas candy, bar soap that was SO old that it was crumbling, cleaning supplies, paper products, clothes (and there are A LOT of clothes), diapers. But I know we should not judge those who donated and what they donated – at least they felt the urge to do something. Around 1 the big organized groups showed up and Kyle and I felt like we were more in the way than helping, so we chose to leave and get back on the road to Atlanta. But in those 4 hours we worked and worked hard. I do not know where the donations go from there – we were only sorting and boxing them up – but I can tell you they have A LOT but still need A LOT of the essentials like food and toiletries.

I would say my only complaint about this weekend was the attitude of some people. 95% of the people were grateful we were there and wanting to dive in head first. But there was that 5% that made my wonder if I was hearing them right. On Saturday when we were picking up our credentials so we could volunteer the Samaritan’s Purse people had a nasty attitude that we weren’t helping that day but the next day and wanted to start at 10:00 rather than 1:00. With a tone in their voice we were told “we could not start working till 1 because of church”. And then in the warehouse on Saturday the AmeriCorps people just threw attitude around since “they had cleaned this place up a few days ago” and thought they were better than everyone else helping out. To me: no one is better than anyone else. We all were there because we wanted to HELP.

And I think I cried more writing this than I did when I was in Tuscaloosa. Oi. Probably because when I was there I was focused on working and helping and did not really give myself the chance to process what I was seeing. But it was a great weekend, I wish I lived closer because I would volunteer more. If there is one thing I know for certain it is: that town is going to be needing help for a LONG time, there is so much rebuilding to be done. And I hope the big groups of volunteers continue to pour into that town and that people don’t forget what happened there. Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city. Roll Tide.

I saw this after the storm and it still is amazing to watch.

Three Things Thursday.

2011-05-26T09:48:00.000-04:00

Three things. That's the introduction you get.

1. Kyle and I are headed to Tuscaloosa tomorrow to help with recovery efforts. Saturday we're helping with the dogs and working in a donation center sorting donations. Sunday, we're doing something and then heading back to Atlanta. I hope I can keep my emotions in check. I have a feeling it will be a long, hard weekend. BUT on the brighter side, I cannot wait to eat at Mugshots and have dinner with Nicole (I have not seen her since her wedding in 2007! This is long overdue!) and introduce Kyle J to Bob Sykes BBQ!

2. The hotel for my bachelorette party has been booked and confirmed. Savannah over St. Patrick's Day weekend it is. And there will be tutus and glitter and good times. Just waiting on 4 people to flip to the "yeah I am there" or the "nope, can't make it" side to get the cost per person down but it will be a good time. And then the following weekend I get to get married! :o) And... I feel like I am majorly behind on this wedding planning thing but I am really not, but the knot.com has an uncanny way of making you feel like you are behind. But, I have learned that I have some wickedly amazing friends and I am SO grateful for all of them. if anyone has any suggestions on good dinner places and things to do, let me know. i am not accepting any and all recommendations!

3. My birthday is on Tuesday and I feel like it has been forgotten about. Except Kyle has my present on our mantle {i really hope it is Glee for the Wii or the Zac Brown CD or both}. I have not received any birthday cards yet in the mail. Maybe this is karma for forgetting my mom's birthday. whoops. 2012 I will be better at calendar management. Which, speaking of 2012 ... where has 2011 gone?!

kettle ball workouts.

2011-05-24T09:04:00.002-04:00

Kyle and I are working to get in killer shape for our wedding & honeymoon. And we were talking about doing a kettle ball program since I have heard rave reviews.

Does anyone have any suggestions on which program is good? What they have used and liked and worked?

Your opinions are greatly appreciated here. Because we are in the dark.

the great shirt debate.

2011-05-20T12:31:00.000-04:00

as I was walking to The Brookhaven Bolt this past weekend I began to remember one of the things that irks me about races. And I will be the 1st to say that this pet peeve of mine is probably petty and absurd but that is fine. I will also say, as I lined up at the start, there was a group of 4 that were talking about “when it is ok to wear a race shirt” and as much as I wanted to chime in I did not.

So. When is it okay to wear a race shirt?

In my opinion: when you’re running for fun or training, but not at a race. a race shouldn’t be a walking billboard for all the other races that happen. when you’re laying out your race clothes, what makes you grab a race shirt?

Hear me out. So you’re running a 5k and people have on other 5k shirts. You’re like okay, you’re at a race, we know you're a runner or someone who enjoys running… you don’t need to broadcast it on your chest. And same goes with a 10k shirt, we got it… you run. If you’re wearing a half marathon or a full marathon shirt, I think you’re just showing off.

If you look at the hardcore speedy runners – they’re not in another 5k or a marathon shirt. They’re in a regular running top or a shirt that has a big logo across it.

I know a lot of people feel that their marathon or half marathon shirts are badges of honor and they earned that shirt … and yeah you did (well. maybe you did, since so many expos give out the shirts there…) but I just don’t think a local race is a place to flaunt your accomplishments.

And… I am sure many of you disagree, but that is fine. What are your rules on race shirts? To wear or not to wear at races?!

Rock and Roll Savannah!

2011-05-17T10:23:00.000-04:00

Yeah!! I booked my hotel for Rock and Roll Savannah the other night!

Originally, I was gonna stay in a house for super cheap with a bunch of twitter people but then I realized that I wanted my own space and my own bed and my own agenda. Afterall, I was going to be running 13.1 miles I better be well rested.

The plans: Get to Savannah Friday. Hit the Expo. Check out the town. Lounge around. Dinner. TV. Sleep. Up early. Run. Run some more. Ice bath. Shower. Nap and then home to Atlanta. I requested the 4:00 pm late check out so I could nap a bit post race and then head home to Kyle J.

I just didn't want to stay in Savannah an extra night. I know, I am lame. Plus I couldn't justify spending the money to watch TV in my room.

Anyone running Savannah too?!

Brookhaven Bolt 2011–Race Recap

2011-05-16T20:22:00.001-04:00

I cannot believe it has taken almost half a year to run a race. I have been crazy lazy this year and I have a half marathon coming up in November so I thought I would kick off training by running The Brookhaven Bolt (that is how I kicked off training for my 1st half marathon and it worked). The Brookhaven Bolt was the 1st 5k I ever ran 2 years ago so I feel the urge to run it each year, but last year I told myself i am never running this race again but there I was Saturday morning at the start line.

I got up Saturday morning after hitting the snooze on my phone 2 times to see that rain was in the forecast so I began to hope that the rain would hold off. Brushed my teeth. Got dressed. Grabbed my iPod and Garmin and I was out the door. That parking situation was MUCH better than previous years. A designated area rather than having to fight for a spot on the neighborhood street .... and the walk to the start was not too bad. BUT then I noticed people walking back to their cars with their race bags and thought great, they're handing things out pre-race and I was 100% right.

I get to the race number pick up spot and for the 3rd year in the row is was an utter disaster area. I went to my "designated" line (U-Z) to pick up my number, told them my last name VINES and I got looked at like I had 456 heads. The woman did not even talk back, just stared. I then asked "am I in the wrong spot to pick up my number" and then I got a "no" just a no. So again... I said Vines and more stares. Finally I got my race number and was shuffled to get my shirt and race bag. Even bigger cluster. Then I had to walk back to my car. So between parking to the race start, race start to car, and then car to race start my Garmin said it was a 1 mile walk. AND.... Me getting their 45 minutes early to warm up and stretch was gone. I had used it walking and picking up my number.

So, the race started and it was smooth. For once it appeared that people lined up in the right spot. The dogs and strollers were in the back (I did get passed by many of them though). The course was awesome and for the 3rd year in a row it was different – but a good different. At one point I actually thought, this is the easiest course so far and then BAM we rounded a corner to a huge hill and the hills just kept coming. BUT! I made myself run up at least 50% of each hill. 75% if I could. I think the last mile was the hardest mile – originally I thought it was because of the hills (then I looked at the elevation map) but I think it was more because my legs were tired from pure barre yesterday and then the actual running. The course was fully stocked with water (my guess: they learned their lesson from last year).

I could have PR'd if the last mile was not so hilly and if I had not lost so much time on the 2 water stops ... excuses aside, I am pleased with my finishing time and performance , but I am way past pleased with my 34:47 finishing time. My 5k PR is 33:39, so I was just about a minute slower than my best ever 5k. Which means my hilly hilly neighborhood is making me stronger and better. Now... if I would just run more.

The weather was nice. Not too hot not to cold not really humid and the rain held off. The skies actually opened up about 5 minutes after I finished and started to stretch. I will do it next year. My only complaint was the registration area. Maybe next year that kink will be worked out.

Likes:

The course - pretty, not too hard, and the little families on the course were so super cute.
The post race "festival" ... fully stocked with food and water and super awesome vendors.
The starting area was clearly marked & the radio guys helped everyone know where they were going.
The shirt, classy ... but I do hope they move past cotton sometime soon and onto something wicking.

Dislikes:

being given my race and race bag before the race. i lost all my time to stretch and warm up in the walking back and forth.
the race number pick up area. for the past 3 years it has been nothing but disorganized.

Highlights:

Seeing my friend Ty from college and catching up.
Realizing that I was not going to die and was close to my PR time.
Being reminded how much I LOVE running & running local races. Gotta find a June race!! =)

weekly round up.

2011-05-15T18:27:00.001-04:00

i survived another week. i hope you did too.

monday: 2.03 mile run. it was supposed to be 2 miles but what can i say, i am an over achiever. started training for Rock and Roll Savannah and welcomed the hot summer sun in all in the same day.
tuesday: lazy.
wednesday: lazy.
thursday: lazy.
friday: pure barre at lunch with the office girls. and taking a week off from that place is not a good idea. just a heads up.
saturday: brookhaven bolt 5k. race recap to come soon. 3.1 miles. AND I took Mulls on his 30 minute walk! :o)
sunday: 30 minute walk with the dog.

i did figure out (per my garmin) that each 30 minute walk is about 1.5 miles.

total miles ran this week: 5.13 ...now, if i could get to working out more consistently that would be awesome.

random work out thoughts:

man. nike frees are not good running shoes for me. my legs hurt.
hello hot summer sun in atlanta.
must actually follow my training plan to savannah.
pure barre sucks if you don't go at least 1 time per week
i actually am not dying (while running the 5k)

200. have i really blogged 200 times.

2011-05-10T10:39:00.001-04:00

so i have entertained you now with 200 blog posts and this little thing has evolved from 100% running to a bunch of nonsence mixed in with running. for the 200th post i am going to share in the same fashion as blog number 100. SO thanks for following and supporting me and being awesome.

10 random things about me
1. for awhile there i was overly obsessed with cupcakes. i think i overdid it - they kinda have lost their luster to me. put one in front of me, yes, i will eat it ... but no longer will i go out of my way for a little cake.
2. i got engaged in july. yay. my ring has always been a little big. i really need to get it sized. it fits perfectly on my index finger... but it just looks funny when i wear it there. :o)
3. at some point i became boring and have learned that i like staying in on a weekend and realized that i love all things crate and barrell and love kitchen accessories. i am 26. i need to find my young side gain.
4. if i could, i would leave my christmas tree up 365 days a year. ...but i REALLY need to get a christmas tree skirt!!
5. i am perfectly content sitting on my couch watching old episodes of TV shows. I love discovering shows that I had heard about but never really watched. Gilmore Girls for example... sucks me in.
6. i do not wear my engagement ring on the weekends unless i am going somewhere. i have no idea why i do this, but i do.
7. medieval times could be one of my most favorite places. it could be my disney world. not only did i get engaged there, but the whole production is just fun.
8. i have the oddest obsession with wrapping paper and i love wrapping presents. sometimes when i get bored, i reorganized my wrapping paper storage bin thing.
9. i always thought that my to do list book journal thing was something only i did. i carry it everywhere with me and the list grows by the minute. then i learned my mom does the same thing. ....i guess you really do turn into your mother.
10. i often have to fight back urges to do cartwheels and forward rolls.

10 things I am looking forward to...
1. my wedding. march 24, 2012 :o)
2. registering for wedding presents, getting grown up things, and getting to donate all our cheap cups and stuff to goodwill
3. june 22 2011 - new kids on the block / backstreet boys concert. the last new kids concert i went to was amazing ... add BSB, oh it is going to be SO much fun.
4. buying a house (not renting) with an awesome kitchen so i can buy so many awesome kitchen things with a good backyard for my demon dog. {i have settled for now, on a cute rental house with both awesome and awkward qualities}
5. having babies! or baby ... depending on how painful the 1st one is!! but no kids till at least 2014!!
6. My bachelorette party in Savannah over St. Patrick's Day weekend.
7. The holidays. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas and the holiday season.
8. Finding a work life balance and the motivation to workout.
9. going home in july and being able to actually take a vacation.
10. my honeymoon. hopefully to costa rica.

10 thing i covet and want so badly... and what i want to do with it
1. a little more time in the day. i would hang out with kyle more, run more, read more, enjoy life just a little bit more.
2. a personal trainer, a chef, and a personal shopper so i can be utterly fabulous all the time.
3. a pair of alabama boot slippers. big gaudy and awful but so amazing at the same time. our floors are cold. my feet freeze.
4. awesomely amazing patio furniture for our screened in porch. i would love to sit out there and drink wine, listen to the rain, and read ... and to have dinner on the porch!
5. a new toyota 4runner or jeep grand cherokee. black please. 4 wheel drive is a must. to drive. duh.
6. a pair of burberry rainboots and i want to wear them to the office on jeans friday with skinny jeans when it rains. nothing screams professionalism like nova check rain boots. i die.
7. a $3000 treadmill. (which for the record, i will never ever own). these are super similar to the treadmills used at blast900 and i love the ease of the inclines and i LOVE how this one connects to real life trails. (it was on sale for $2000 around the holidays...)
8. a pair of hunter rain boots (yes i want 2 pairs of rainboots) ... and i want to wear these to the office too on rainy days. but i cannot decide on a color.
9. season tickets to alabama football. this needs no explanation.
10. a vacation. to the mountains. where there is no cell service. so i can disappear and decompress.

10 things i am super thankful for
1. my super supportive and awesome family
2. kyle j. and his carefree personality
3. waking up every day. the sunrise and sunsets.
4. that my parents paid for my college education. i hear about people and their student loans all the time, i could not imagine having that sort of burden. i like that i am 26 and debt free.
5. our awesome neighbors, even though they are supporters of the university of auburn (as nick saban likes to call auburn).
6. my crazy awesome friends and their raw honesty
7. that i understand the concept of a dollar and not living outside my means.
8. the company i work for, the people i work with, and that i love coming to work every day.
9. good runs and bad runs. long runs and short runs. hard workouts on bad days and easy workouts ... each one is my moment to be alone and clear my head.
10. 5:00 PM on Friday.

10 pet peeves/things that irk me
1. people who create their own parking spots
2. vanity license plates (i once saw a plate that said "atthelake" and my thoughts were no sir, you are not on the lake, you're in rush hour traffic on peachtree)
3. speaker phone and people who take their calls on speaker phone
4. slow drivers in the left hand lane. slow drivers in general.
5. voicemails that are longer than 30 seconds
6. spam emails and eblast marketing emails... don't email me unless it is important.
7. inconsistency.
8. when the weather gets nice and then gets cold again and then it is nice and then it is cold. weather, make up your mind.
9. people who think they're entitled to anything and everything.
10. when people copy & paste other people's tweets for facebook statuses. they think they're all funny and witty, but really they're lame and unfunny. if see your status or tweet and think where have i seen that it does not make me laugh again, but go on a scavenger hunt to see where you stole it. you plagerizer.

10 things i really really want to do
1. go to costa rica and zipline over the rain forest and hike next to the waterfalls.
2 ride in a hot air balloon
3. watching alabama win a national championship.... in person.
4. own a house with a great backyard and kitchen
5. swim with dolphins
6. know that i have touched just 1 person's life in a positive way
7. take a running tour of washington dc ... or any city for that matter.
8. volunteer with habitat for humanity
9. take more time for myself to do whatever. sleep in. read a book for hours. run.
10. be so good at the wii that i do not always lose to Kyle!!!

10 things i love
1. my little family and our little house on the hill. ....and my big family in Virginia
2. websites like groupon and half depot. $15 for $30 worth of sushi. $35 for 2 rooms to be professionally steam cleaned. $7 to for 2 rounds of mini golf. don't mind if i do.
3. long dinners and happy hours with good friends
4. a good mind clearing, soul searching run.
5. my bridal party.
6. tuscaloosa on a game weekend. the excitement, the energy, all the ROLL TIDES and the food.
7. good quotes that make you think and make you write them down
8. random phone calls from friends i have not talked to in awhile and long phone conversations with good friends
9. my wedding dress.
10. when a guy opens my door. it makes me think that chivalry is not dead.

and there you have it. i am now even more of an open book than i was before.

Favorite Things.

2011-05-07T22:03:00.001-04:00

A few weeks back I saw a blog about a runner’s favorite things and since my blog this year has navigated SO far from the running and working out world (since I have not done a lot of running this calendar year. oi) I decided to steal this and tell the world about my favorite running things … when I am running.

Brooks PR Mesh Skirts. They're airy and short {I like short running things} and breathable and just darn cute. Oh and the “underwear” doesn't chafe or really ride up. There is a zipper pocket on the back that I can throw a key in. Sometimes, when I am lucky I can find them for super cheap on 6pm.com .. other times I have to pay pretty much full price, but it is 100% worth it.

The Stick & Foam Roller. Those little contraptions works out all the kinks on my legs. This probably sounds loony, but whenever my legs are starting to feel tired and heavy I spend some quality time with those 2 things and I tend to bounce right back. I also swear by the foam roller the night before the race.

Joyful Bath Bath Salts. I hate ice baths. They’re miserable. But I always would take the ice bath with epsom salts. But, once I was introduced to Joyful Bath the ice baths didn’t get any better, but the scents and how they work made them like .01% more manageable.

Pure Barre. When I first started I wondered if/how it could make me stronger, but after a month of going my core and legs are much stronger. and both things will help with my running. the only downside it that it is REALLY expensive so since my new member monthly perk has expired I can only afford to go once per week.

Amphipod AirFlow Lite Waist Pack. I use this only for my half marathons and marathons since it is kind of bigger. Though it is bigger and fanny pack like, it sits on my lower back and doesn’t really move {unless I have the whole world in it} There is plenty of room for by blackberry, chapstick, keys, and GU chomps.

ReGen Recovery Milk. I have tried everything from Athlete's Milk to Honey Milk but I could never stomach it. They seemed so chalky and non milk like. But I was introduced to ReGen thanks to the Marine Corps Marathon and it tastes just like milk. It has earned the title of my post long run and post race beverage.

GU Chomps. I cannot stomach the Gels. Something about the texture makes me want to vomit. But the chomps I do just fine with. I normally only need 1 package of them but they give me the little burst I need & I hate to say this…. but when I am dying at the office, they help wake me up too. *you know you’re a runner when…*

Neutrogena Sport Wipes. Theses bad boys are awesome for after a killer workout. I carry them in my gym bag to quickly clean the dirt and sweat off my face after working out. They’re clutch when I do a workout and then have to head back to the office.

And with that…. those are just a few of my favorites when it comes to working out, running, or being active.

three things thursday - tornado edition.

2011-05-05T09:06:00.000-04:00

i am gonna try my best to keep this 3 things thursday as short as they normally are, but i wanted it to have a theme. it has been 8 days since the tornado ripped through my college town and though i can now watch the news or read stories without busting into tears, I feel it should not be forgotten about. Yes, it was and is great news that Bin Laden was killed, but with the breaking of that story, the reports of Alabama and Georgia and Tennessee and the tornado have been pushed to the side. And this is not a time to forget or move on. There are still people missing, donations of money and supplies are still greatly needed, and the states still have broken hearts

One thing that has made me so so so proud to be an Alabama fan is that our love for Tuscaloosa does not stop at football and bear bryant and saturdays in the stadium, we have a LOVE for the University and the town. Yeah, we may bring out 90,000 people for a spring football game but the out pouring of people wanting to support and rebuild that town has been and I think will continue to be amazing.

1. this past saturday the atlanta alabama alumni association held a fundraising event at one of atlanta's "alabama bars". For each Sam Adams beer that was sold 100% of the proceeds went to tuscaloosa and all the proceeds of merchandise sold went to t.town. {some random spectatur told me i needed to be in a marketing commercial} And... $8500 was raised!! YEAH! AND.... we filled 3 car loads and a U-Haul full of supplies, tarps, food, toiletry items and clothes!! Many thanks to the auburn and ole miss alums that came out!! We appreciate and thank you!!!
2. i am so sad for not only the people who lost everything. but the pets. every day i think about the scared animals who are wondering what happened to their home, their city, and their owners. Every day I look at the lost puppies and cats that need to be reunited with their owners and it breaks my heart to see their sad eyes But, can we please take this as a lesson. Having a collar on your animal is not enough. I do not care if your pet is an "indoor pet" ... it needs a collar with tags that can help the pet be reunited with the owner. Yes, I know and understand that there is a chance the wind yanked the collar off, but please tag your dog! And if you're going to spend the money to have your furbaby chipped, please keep that info up to date. I have been telling Kyle that I am going to spray paint my phone number on Mulligan's back! I really hope the animals can be reunited with their families soon.
3. I am heading to tuscaloosa Memorial Day weekend to volunteer. I have been wanting to go back to that town for SO long and I feel this is a really good reason. Kyle and I are going to dedicate the weekend to helping out with the pets, trying to get them back to the owners or fostered out until they can be reunited with their owners. I hope I do not come back with another dog. I feel like the least I can do is give back to the town that gave so much to me. If you're in Atlanta and want to send donations (clothes, toiletry items, pet supplies) let me know. I can and will deliver it for you!!!

I saw this article the other day and some people think the timing is not right but when I read it, I saw it as a journalist looking to cheer for a University and a town that has been through so much.

....if you're wanting to help out the state of alabama you can of course donate to the red cross. If you want to donate supplies or anything, let me know and I can get you linked up with a donation site. Auburn has done an amazing job with Toomers for Tide and they have many donation sites set up in most states. There is SO much hate between Alabama and Auburn I can only hope that between the trees and this the hatred dies down a bit.

another week.

2011-05-01T19:09:00.000-04:00

and this week i did.......

monday: missed my workout. was talking to one of my favorite people and my maid of honor about her 1st day at her new job!! yay for E!
tueday: mile monday a day late, but completed.. 1 mile. pace: 12:10 .... still kinda sore from boot camp which may explain why i was SLOWER than last week. humph
wednesday: pure barre was missed due to work and life. BUT I made Kyle walk the dog with me for some quality "family time" before the storms rolled in. probably a 15-20 minute walk.
thursday: i did nothing.
friday: planned to do pure barre during lunch. missed it due to a meeting & work over load due to a training class next week.
saturday: .....30 minute dog walk.
sunday: pure barre. the very last day of my unlimited month. so sad but it was so hot and so unfun. .....30 minute dog walk

total miles ran.... 1.00 mile. SO LAZY! *wasnt the idea of this post to ahem make me work out so i did not have to report back that I was lazy lazy?!*

random thoughts:

i love pure barre, but i am kind of glad my unlimited month is up. i feel myself getting stronger, but i cannot rely only on that to get back in shape and to build my stamina and endurance. i need some active movement in my life. i do love their core work though.
i was in amazing shape when i was swimming once a week. i need to swim again.
lululemon has horrible running clothes. thou shall not waste my money there again.
i love race season. i love seeing everyone's crazy awesome accomplishments and hearing about people's marathons and 5ks. Heck, I can live viacariously though people!!

another way to help tuscaloosa.

2011-04-28T21:53:00.000-04:00

If you follow me on Twitter or know anything about me, you know I am an Alabama Grad and that I bleed crimson and white and I love everything about Alabama and that city! Over the summer I showed you a running tour of my campus and favorite town. As you know Tuscaloosa was rocked by a tornado yesterday and so many are looking for some way to help out. I plan on heading to Tuscaloosa for Memorial Day to help with Habitat with Humanity or a soup kitchen. I have been wanting to get back to Tuscaloosa and this is a perfect reason to get back - thought it is a sad reason.

In the mean time I have bought a shirt to benefit Tuscaloosa. Want to help too?! You can spend $12 (well $16.50) with tax and buy a shirt. You can do so HERE and they come in Mens S,M,L, and XL!

three things thursday.

2011-04-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

we have almost survived another week. hope it has been a good one thus far!

1. yesterday morning we oddly lost power. i was getting ready to leave for work and then BOOM and all the power went out. My first thought was, oh well i am glad i have my make up on already. and then I thought, oh crap, my car is in the garage and i cannot call my boss to tell him that i will be late since my car is stuck in the garage. I knew I had to pull the red thing from the ceiling, but I didn't know I had to lift the door too. After pulling and pulling I quit and called Kyle. Who then turned his car around, came back to the house (with his coworker in the car) and came home to rescue me and my car. Oh my knight in shining armour. :o)

2. I have cried over Tuscaloosa two times in my life. First, when I left that amazing city after graduation and then again yesterday. Tuscaloosa was hit really hard by a tornado yesterday - the mayor described the damage as "catastrophic" {see picture to the right and that is just a TASTE} my friend's little sister has a friend who died in the storm and i have a friend who lost his house and 15th Street is just pretty much gone. it is so hard to look at pictures and watch videos of all the destruction and all the people who have lost so much. Tuscaloosa means the world to me, it holds a huge part of my heart and all my memories bring nothing but joy. it was 3 or so of the best years of my life to date and it breaks my heart to see a place i love damaged and destroyed. it breaks my heart more to hear that the firemen say they will be discovering bodies for awhile and it hurts my heart to know that they're spray painting body counts on the houses. i cannot even begin to imagine what families are going through and how parents are holding up - I know my parents would have been freaking out from 600+ miles away. all my friends have to say was "it is really bad" and that "it was terrifying" ... college is supposed to be a happy and fun time full of amazing memories and good memories - it breaks my heart to know that there are so many students who are displaced and no longer have a place to call their home away from home. it makes me want to head there some weekend and just help. do something. anything. the campus and the stadium were missed but so many awesome businesses and homes were flattened. thankfully, everyone i know that is still in Tuscaloosa are accounted for and okay and the auburn community is amazing for setting up "Toomers for Tuscaloosa". my thoughts and prayers are with everyone there. forever i love alabama. if you want to help out .... you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10

3. My life is about to get REALLY busy at work. I am participating in my 1st training class as a teacher next week and then we have to dive right into planning another one that is in June ... and on top of it all I am in the process of selecting a new background screening company and then have to have it all rolled out and implemented by June 1 ... and we may possibly be switching software companies so there are meetings on top of meetings about that and if we do switch that will start the traveling (probably) to train. Needless to say, I am pretty happy that I bowed out of Ragnar, I don't think I could have done it. But I LOVE my new job and am SO happy that I chose to take this role over the one the other company had offered me. I am busy but a good busy, a different busy than before.

Take some time to hug your family. So thankful the weekend is coming up. What are you doing? Anything fun?

high mile month.

2011-04-26T18:38:00.002-04:00

looks like April will be my highest miles month so far in 2011! running at 9.04 miles so far. i will have to make myself do 10+

this is out of control. i have been a total running slacking fool this year. looks like i am trying to slowly get myself together though.

weekly wrapup.

2011-04-25T09:11:00.001-04:00

just another week trying to get back to being active and in wedding dress shape. but on monday i was told that i was looking skinny. skinny = good.

monday: 1 mile. pace: 11:47. I am starting what I like to call "mile monday" where i kick start my week with a little run around the oh so hilly neighborhood. I am making myself run every hill and each week I am going to make myself run longer (ex: past the mailbox i stopped at). and when 1 mile is too easy we will lose the alliteration and make it a longer distance.
tuesday: pure barre with afton and lyd! and this time, it was a freaking work out out. i don't know if it was monday's run or what - but my legs could not do the thigh work to save my life.
wednesday: just a little casual walk with kyle j and the dog around the neighborhood. the sun had not sunk yet and the weather was gorgeous. just had to walk with my two loves!
thursday: nothing.
friday: nothing. planned pure barre at 4:15 but afton's boss didn't let her off early like mine did.
saturday: goodness me. mitzi's $10 boot camp. that child is lucky i love her and will suffer for her in the name of a good cause. the warm-up was more like a work out, running hills, squats, push ups. Then the actual work out was ALL sprints. Sprints then 10 push ups, sprint then 9 push ups sprint then 8 ... and you get the point. But we did sprints with push up and butt lift things and sit ups and then burpees (but i slacked and did jumping jacks) ... my garmin was dead so i couldn't track the miles. but seriously, it is a GOOD work out so if you're in Atlanta, we have 1 more next weekend at Piedmont Park and you should come. plus mully got a 30 minute hilly hot walk.
sunday: planned pure barre but it was closed for easter. then i planned to run, but my legs could not move because of bootcamp. but i walked mully for 30 minutes.

total miles run: 1 mile + whatever I ran at bootcamp, which was at least a mile, maybe even more! ...and it is an improvement from last week. but then again, anything is!

random thoughts:

i know i am not supposed to like chris brown since he beats women, but T-Pain's song "Best Love Song" with him on it is amazing to run to.
I think I may adore running skirts - but I hate the lululemon one, I like my brooks one.
My matron of honor is burning Kyle and me P90X ... but what are we getting ourselves into?!
bootcamp is REALLY painful. How do people do this 3 days a week and not want to kill themselves?
i just may run a 5k this upcoming saturday... just to see how out of shape i am.

three things thursday.

2011-04-21T13:49:00.002-04:00

thursday thurday {sing in the tune of the song monday monday}

1. in case you didn't know. nick saban's statue was unveiled this past weekend at the spring a day game. he is now standing outside our stadium for eternity along side other great coaches. I wish I could have been in Tuscaloosa this past weekend, A-Day always was a fun day. and just to throw some numbers out [not to brag about alabama's greatness or anything....] but alabama had 93,310 in attendance while our sister down the road only had 53,209. ROLL TIDE! ...i also heard that timmy tebow got a statue and my shrek looking nemesis cam newton is getting a statue too. boo hiss. Evidently also the '10 team captains put their hands in cement outside of Denny Chimes. Oh I love all of Alabama's traditions and can't wait to force my kids to go there.

2. ok seriously. is donald trump really going to run for president? is the republican committee really going to let him do this?! i am really unsure what kind of value he can add to the united states. i mean no offense to the republican party (hey, i voted for mccain) but don't you all harp on obama all the time for his "lack of experience"?! what kind of experience does trump have? he bankrupted his business (twice, right ... maybe even 3 times?), how is he supposed to pull us out of our current economic state and debt when he can't handle his own company's finances. and good grief if the reality tv loving people vote for him we are all doomed... what is next snookie for president? political rant. done and done. (how many followers did i lose!?)
3. my wedding is a little over a year away, but i am slashing my to-do list left and right. this past weekend i firmed up our minister. and i am really excited about it. my friend since i was little (like 3 or 4 years old little) is a minister in tennessee and he agreed to be the one to marry kyle and me. i think it is such a small, personal touch. now i just hope he leaves the embarrassing stories in tennessee. now onto premarital counseling where we are hoping we're not told to reevaluate our relationship. if you're not following our wedding blog, you should - HERE - i am trying to keep it as up to date as possible but not let out too many secrets.

....and a few extras. Mitzi's fundraising boot camp. This weekend. Piedmont Park by the 10th street entrance. 10:45 AM. Be there. Bring water and get ready to sweat. It really is a great work out and it is all for a good cause.

Ragnar Runners Needed Update.

2011-04-19T13:22:00.002-04:00

So the spots on the Ragnar team that I dropped out of are quickly filling up. But they have 2 spots left and need runners as soon as you can commit. Below, please find all the details.

In Van 1: Runner 2: Leg 2 (4.5miles), Leg 14 (4.5miles), Leg 26 (6.8miles): 15.8 miles

In Van 2: Runner 11: Leg 11 (5.5miles), Leg 23 (4miles), Leg 35 (8.3miles): 17.8 miles

Please keep a couple things in mind:
•You'll probably need to take Thursday June 9th off of work for travel to Wisconsin and definitely Friday June 10th since the race starts that morning.
•Registration: $90
•Hotel room in Madison, WI Thursday night before the race: $35
•Van rental: $35
•Gas for Van: $??
•Food: ??
•If you are coming from out of state, airfare: $200++

Ragnar = think MTV Road Rules, but running. You're in a van with 5 other gals running, sleeping, and carrying on. Truthfully, it does sound like a cool experience so if you want in & this sounds doable contact Courtney ASAP at wannaberunnergirl@gmail.com

Weekly Work Out Round Up (vol. 2)

2011-04-17T17:02:00.001-04:00

and. how did this week go? cliff notes version: still a little lazy.

monday: nothing. nada. lazy.
tuesday: lazy. nothing again. thought about it, but then went for mexican to gain weight rather than lose it.
wednesday: pure barre. 55 minutes. still sore from boot camp it seemed. but the core work is getting easier which means, i am building a core. now, if the extra skin on my stomach would go away.
thursday: nothing. (oi this is getting embarrassing)
friday: i was gonna run, but i didn't get home in time to miss the rain. but rejoined LA Fitness.
saturday: run in the neighborhood. only .98 miles - my allergies or something made it hard. but i think this will be my "monday mile" run, if i can find .02 to add. i skipped mitzi's boot camp, but i will go back next week. ohhhh and i did a 30 minute dog walk with the dog.
sunday: pure barre with afton and lyd again. =) and another 30 minute dog walk with the pup.

miles ran this week: .98 -- pa-thet-ic.

And in other news... As you know I have dropped out of Ragnar. And really, I am okay with it. My heart wasn't in it, nor was I athletically in shape for it. With that.... the team is on the hunt to fill up a few legs and I am going to *at least* try and help!

In Van 1:

Runner 2: Leg 2 (4.5miles), Leg 14 (4.5miles), Leg 26 (6.8miles): 15.8 miles
Runner 5: Leg 5 (6.3miles), Leg 17 (3.2miles), Leg 29 (2.9miles): 12.4 miles

In Van 2:
Runner 7: Leg 7 (4.7miles), Leg 19 (3.7miles), Leg 31 (4.9miles): 13.3 miles
Runner 11: Leg 11 (5.5miles), Leg 23 (4miles), Leg 35 (8.3miles): 17.8 miles

Please keep a couple things in mind:

You'll probably need to take Thursday June 9th off of work for travel to Wisconsin and definitely Friday June 10th since the race starts that morning.
Registration: $90
Hotel room in Madison, WI Thursday night before the race: $35
Van rental: $35
Gas for Van: $??
Food: ??
If you are coming from out of state, airfare: $200++

Now if you're interested and this sounds doable for you, please e-mail Courtney ASAP at wannaberunnergirl@gmail.com

Ragnar Update

2011-04-13T20:28:00.000-04:00

So. I have some news. I am dropping out of the ragnar relay that i had planned for this summer. this is something that i was REALLY looking forward to, but as I will explain why... I think that you will begin and maybe understand my reasoning.

I guess, I should start at the beginning. I first read/heard about this relay when I 1st started running and thought it was a cool idea and something that *with the right group* I would love to do. I don't have a big group of running friends here in Atlanta, so I knew I couldn't start and create a group but when one of my twitter pals blogged about it, I knew that if they had a spot for me, I wanted to join the fun. lucky for me, they did. and they had a spot for one of my favorite people & my maid of honor Erin. So we agreed and were ready to rock and roll. I was excited about it and I mean REALLY excited about it. I was pumped to meet people like Jessica and Jennifer and Jen Z and Ashley and Courtney and Lauren. We had it all set up that our van of 6 was going to be fun.

....And then it started. The emails about people dropping out and people being replaced. I can't remember who was the 1st to go, but it felt like once she dropped out people were dropping like flies. All for good reasons - school, new jobs, babies!! But with each "drop out" my excitement started to fade. you can ask Erin. every time an email came in, I bbm'ed her and was like uhhhh do you want to do this?! And as people got replaced they were being replaced with randoms, people who I had never even seen on twitter or in the blogging world before. the adventure of meeting & running with people who i had a social media relationship was slowly going away. [no offence to any of those people, we thank you for stepping up]

And then the money came to light. I knew that I had to fly there and get a hotel and help pay for vans and gas ... but with gas prices rising I could only imagine how much the flight would cost + the money for gas for the van + food + hotels + shirts + supplies. And then the chatter about volunteers came up and how we were going to have to pay for them if we couldn't come up with a certain amount of them. The total cost just kept piling up and I was having a hard time spending that much money on something I was not 100% excited about. And I really wasn't even 25% excited .... it all just became draining and a chore.

And the icing on the cake came when I got the "invitation" to operations training June 7-9 for our newly hired recruiters. assisting with training & helping develop and grow my company's operations team is one the of parts of my new job that i am most excited about. I knew I wouldn't be able to leave Atlanta till like 7:00 that night and then I would have to start running miles upon miles on June 10th.

.....I just knew that this was not going to happen and I was (and am) okay with this. Not being excited about it was not helping my training and when you run a half or a full marathon unprepared you're only hurting yourself and your performance, but with this... I had 11 other people relying on me to be ready to run 8 miles in 1 leg... and running 4 miles is hard right now.

i know i am adding more stress to jen's life and i am sorry for that -- especially since June is so close... and i know i am pulling out partially for very selfish reasons, but i just want to be excited about something especially if i am going to be spending A LOT of money on something. i wish the 12 girls who do it the best of luck and i hope they have a really good time. but this go round, just not for me. ....if they ever organize another one, I am 100% in but this one.... I am just not feeling it.

weekly workout (episode 1)

2011-04-10T17:10:00.000-04:00

weekly workout recap round one.

monday: nothing. meant to. but had to run to the grocery store and then the storms rolled in.
tuesday: nothing.
wednesday: 55 minute pure barre. core. butt. legs. arms. death. followed by the foam roller
thursday: nothing. drinks with coworkers since we're the company of the month at wildfire!
friday: nothing
saturday: 10:45 AM - Piedmont Park $10 fundraising boot camp. goodnight we were worked.out. lots of core work, arm work, sprints. *be there next weekend, super big thanks to tiffy t. who joined me and helped us raise money for mitzi* .... and 30 minute dog walk around the hilly neighborhood.
sunday: i was supposed to go to pure barre, but didn't. my body hurts from yesterday's boot camp. but i did do another 30 minute dog walk with the pup.

total miles ran: 1.27. nothing impressive. i must run more next week.

Boot Camp #1

2011-04-09T17:25:00.000-04:00

Mitzi's first boot camp for a cure was a complete success this morning!! YaY! And, I define "complete success" by... it was a killer work out.

A little bit about what we did: We all met at Piedmont Park and ran to various parts of the park for different work outs. We ran to the "active oval" where we ran the oval in 4 parts -- sprinting or running from "station" to "station" ... we did lots of core work (flutter kicks, planks, sit ups, etc...) ... ran to another part of the park for push ups (55 to be exact) ... and then ran to another part for more arm work and then we were finished.

It was an AWESOME work out. I think you should join us next time if you're in Atlanta. *I may or may not be there since I need to get my car looked at, but I will for sure be there in 2 weeks*

Next boot camp - this Saturday. $10. 10:45 AM. Piedmont Park, 10th Street Entrance. The $10 is 100% tax deductible. You can RSVP HERE!

Three Things Thursday.

2011-04-07T14:09:00.001-04:00

thursday.thursday.thursday.thursday. 1 more day till friday.
1. Each Sunday plan to now see what I want to call my weekly wrap up where I will document my physical activity for each week. Some may find it boring, others I don't know. But I think if I KNOW I have to report back I may be a little more active. And I feel like my running blog has become more of a life blog (which is fine), but I think it is time to refocus and get back to the basics. *hopefully* I will have more race recaps for you, product reviews, etc... in the future.
2. Do you know what I find really cool. The stats section of blogger. I feel I may have addressed this before, but obviously I like it so much I am talking about it again. Not only and I being introduced to more and more awesome running blogs (like I need more to read / not read and have to play catch up on) but I find it cool to see how people are linked to my posts and blog and what not. It appears that "thirteen minute mile" is googled a lot and I seem to pop up. And my race reviews seem to be pop up in google searches too. Please potential runners, take my reviews lightly... I am a picky person.
3. I have been doing a lot of pure barre lately. it is a killer workout and i can for sure see how it can/does change someones body if they do it enough but goodness it hurts. however, i do not think it will really change my body (for some odd reason) but what i am wondering is if it will effect and improve my running. i had to pull out my foam roller yesterday to work my legs and was painfully reminded how much the foam roller hurts. oi.

......and shameless plug time. If you're in Atlanta. I hope to see you at bootcamp this Saturday! $10, 10:45 Piedmont Park. Be there.

$10.00 Boot Camp for a Cure.

2011-04-04T10:02:00.000-04:00

More shameless plugging but with a fitness flair.

So, as you know Mitzi is in the running for Women of the year with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. One of her good friends is a boot camp instuctor here in Atlanta and she volunteered her services to teach a boot camp class each Saturday for the next 4 weeks.

Here is all the info on the bootcamps classes and if you want to register you can RSVP here

WHO: You! You! You! (and me)
WHAT: $10 Boot Camp (you can donate more each week if you'd like. cash only.)
WHERE: Piedmont Park -- We will meet at the Charles Allen entrance of Piedmont Park off 10th Street. Once in that entrance there is a stone wall to your right and a park flag right next to that wall. This area overlooks the main field in front of the Park Tavern. We will meet there at the stone wall. Your instructors will have on black.
WHEN: Saturday April 9, 16, 23, and 30th at 10:45 AM -- We will meet rain or shine, unless it's dangerous weather.
WHAT TO BRING: Please bring water and maybe a towel for the ride home.

If you can't do bootcamp (or don't want to) ... think about donating to her campaign and to the cause! You can donate HERE .... but I really hope to see you out there sweating with me. Remember Atlanta.... it is about that time when the cute sundresses come out and when your friends want you to hang by the pool.

weekend plans.

2011-04-01T09:27:00.002-04:00

i am kicking off my weekend with a 12:00 PM, lunch break pure barre workout with my friend afton. this weekend i am going to stop being lazy and go to stone mountain and get my yearly pass. and then i am going to run/walk a lap around the mountain. and i am also during pure barre at 2:00 PM on Sunday in Dunwoody if anyone wants to join me. hello killer abs.

and then next weekend. i am going to go to stone mountain and run/walk around the mountain.

and each saturday i am going to repeat such activity. {or on sundays when I am doing Mitzi's boot camps}

ragnar sneaked its little self up on me and i gotta get in some sort of running shape if i don't want to d-i-e.

....and the only highlighted thing on my knot.com wedding to-do-list is ... start working out to get in wedding shape. maybe, if i feel like living on the edge I will take advantage of LA Fitness's "we want you back" and rejoin the gym.

three things thursday.

2011-03-31T10:01:00.001-04:00

i thought yesterday was thursday. news flash to me: it wasn't. don't you just hate when you're a day ahead of yourself and you then realize you're one day farther away from the weekend. oi.

1. Have you heard of this "trash the dress" thing. I think it is insane. insane I tell you. It is when you get married and then trash your dress after the dust has settled. My good friend and co-worker suggested we do this after my wedding and the thought horrifies me. And no, I am not exaggerating. But I LOVE my dress. It is so ivory and pretty and wonderful and the bustle is great and fun and I have not been able to stop thinking about it since I chose it. I want to wear it while watching TV once I actually am able to take it home (seriously, it probably shouldn't be housed in my house or I may just slip it on from time to time) and then I want to wear it just because after the wedding is over. It is just so so so pretty and amazing and I love it. Why oh why would you ever trash your wedding dress?!
2. Atlanta has a SERIOUS jay walking problem. And I went to college and in college kids are dumb and do stupid things, but they still seem to find the cross walk. I don't know, but every day I am baffled by the amount of people who just cross the road where ever rather than walking 20 feet to a cross walk. And 7 times of out 10 they're diagonally walking in the direction of a cross walk, so they could have used one. I really do think that these people have a death wish, because when they're strolling across peachtree during rush hour trying to get to the mcdonalds I just can't help but think... you're trying to get killed!! The CRAZY thing is, I work with a girl whose friend was jaywalking. The friend got hit by a car (no worries, she is fine), but get this THE FRIEND, WHO WAS JAYWALKING was ticketed and had to pay her own hospital bill and to get the dent out of the car that hit her. So BAM, there you go, you mr. or mrs. jaywalker won't get a penny of my cash money if i accidentally hit you. which i hope i don't because that would scar me for life. but please, find a yellow cross walk. stat.
3. I am still "shamelessly" plugging my friend Mitzi for Georgia's Woman of the year campaign benefiting LLS. If you want to donate and support her, that would be fabulous and appreciated. All donations are 100% tax deductible and the proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Each dollar donated = one vote and who ever has the most "votes" wins. And, Mitzi is really competitive so she has to win. You can donate by clicking HERE ... if you're in Georgia I have 2 things for you. 1) if you want a killer work out, one of Mitzi's girls is organizing Saturday morning boot camps for the last 4-5 weeks of the fundraising. $10 for a butt kicking and the money goes straight to her campaign **more details to come and I WILL be there each Saturday!** and 2) want a fun night on the town - you can go to the Grand Finale party at the Loews Hotel in Midtown on Saturday, June 4, 2011 6:00 PM. Tickets are $125 and be sure to credit Mitzi!! Think about it....

2011 Peachtree Roadrace - not gonna happen

2011-03-28T09:01:00.004-04:00

I put myself in the lottery a few weeks back to just see what would happen. If I got in - fine, whatever, it is a 10k and a reason to run and train. If I didn't get in - no biggie, it is overly crowded with people who don't get in the right corral, volunteers who do not monitor who is entering what corral, people who have numbers who jump in the race at mile 3 or whatever, and you're pretty much dodging people who are just doing it for the shirt the whole 6.2 miles.

Well... today we learned via email if we were in or out this year. And my fate? I was not in. I got the email this morning and for me, it really is not that big of a deal. Kyle and I had talked about heading home to DC to see our family that weekend if I didn't get in. So the positive outlook: I am sure I can find an awesome race up there. Heck, it is the nation's capital!! But I do feel bad for the runners out there who did not get in, who look forward to this race EVERY year and they're unable to run it but someone who just wants to casually stroll Peachtree for a shirt will get the experience.

Now... I could go on for awhile about that, but I won't. But to all those who got into the Peachtree 2011, best of luck - get training for Cardiac Hill!!

pure barre atlanta 1st timer.

2011-03-27T10:57:00.001-04:00

Atlanta is thriving with these little boutique work out places. my friend and bridesmaid chrissy has been talking about pure barre since i met her in august and as soon as I went wedding dress shopping and realized that I have gained weight in some spots [my stomach] I decided to finally take chrissy up on the “lets do pure barre” comments.

lets start here. what is pure barre???

“The Pure Barre Technique is a total body workout that burns fat and produces lifted seats, toned arms, thin thighs, and flat abs by fusing elements of ballet, pilates and weights in a 55 minute intense session. It is the most effective, fastest, yet safest way to change your body.”

….and my thoughts…

Prior to my Tuesday 5:30 PM class Chrissy and I chatted via text. The text convo between Chrissy and me days before went something like this. ME: Am I going to die? CHRISSY: No but I did almost puke last time I did it.

Did I die?! Literally speaking. No. Figuratively speaking. Quite Possible. it was 55 minutes of full body hell. my legs were shaking. my core just hurt. my arms weren’t happy with me and I did feel like I could puke at one point. Some parts of the class, I was fine with – others not so much. My only complaint were that things weren’t explained all that well so I spent a lot of time being lost, which lead to the instructor lady coming over to help me and hi, I don’t like being called out. Trust me girl… I was feeling the burn, maybe not in the “correct spot” but good gracious was I hurting.

I was hurting on Tuesday night, Wednesday, and Thursday and little bit on Friday. When I sneezed, it hurt my core. I really think if done enough and used with other workouts one could really see changes to their body.

….what you need to know…

Dress to sweat. It is a smaller room and I started sweating fast. Shoes – yeah…. don’t wear them past the lobby area. I almost made that mistake (thanks Elizabeth for catching me). You can buy grippy socks there and you’re gonna need them (even with the grippy socks I was slipping a bit on some moves). Bring water and just be ready to work and sweat, because I was sweating like 5 minutes in when. Oi.

I think this place could become a love-hate for me. Like one of my other love-hate favorites here in Atlanta, Blast900, it is expensive. It is $26.00 per session but let me tell you… Between spin class at LA Fitness, running, Blast900, and this I could get in some killer shape for my wedding. ….no pain no gain right, and if my body could look like the instructors then I will take all the pain in the world.

….the next steps…

Halfway through I did look at Chrissy and say I could totally be a fat bride. …but not really. I was telling my friend and co-worker (and fellow Blast900 friend) Afton about it and she somehow talked me into getting the unlimited month for new members for $100. So we are signed up for a bunch of classes for the month of April and have it so each class is only $8 rather than $26. …So April will be a pretty painful month for me. But I really think it is something that I could recommend for toning (what I need for the wedding day). I am unsure if it will help my running at all, but as long as I look PRETTY FABULOUS on March 24 next year I am golden! =)

shameless plug

2011-03-22T16:30:00.000-04:00

I started running because of luekemia. My good friend from high school had been diagnosed 5 months earlier with CML and I wanted to do something in her honor. So I linked up with Atlanta's Team in Training chapter and ran my 1st half marathon. Leukemia linked me up with one someone who I not only aspire to be like, but respect and love to be around. In the team meeting the night before the race Mitzi Jiles sat next to me and asked who I was at what I did. With having a mission to find a cure and both working in the staffing industry as a link we hung out the rest of the night and into race morning.

Fast forward 2 years... Mitzi was nominated for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Woman of the year here in Georgia and she accepted the challenge! Mitzi herself is a cancer survivor, when she was 25 years old she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Just after being diagnosed, someone from LLS was at Mitzi's beside comforting her and talking to her about this disease and what they could do to help her fight and beat it. Originally, Mitzi was 2 weeks away from dying, but this May Mitzi will celebrate 10 years in remission!!!! No doubt, she is already a winner. The disease that almost took her life has changed her life and now she is on a mission to find a cure. While in remission Mitzi has raised over $20,000 for LLS through their Team In Training program, and now with our help she is going to double, even triple that amount as she vies for the Woman of the Year crown.

Mitzi was charged with the task to form a support team to help her reach her goal and when she came to me and asked if I would help it was a no brainer... We have 10 weeks to raise as much money as possible as a team. Each dollar donated = 1 vote and whoever has the most "votes" (aka dollars raised) is named the LLS Woman & Man of the Year.

If you live in Atlanta.... you are invited to buy seats to the amazing black tie event at the Loews Hotel in Midtown! Tickets are $125 per ticket and include food, drinks, dancing, a silent and live auction, and the crowning of the Woman of the Year! It really does sound like a fun event!!

We're raising money not only to honor Mitzi, but for all the others who have fought or are fighting leukemia or lymphoma. Every four minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer and every ten minutes someone looses their life. Every dollar counts, whether is it $1 or $5 .... or more if you can afford it ... each dollar helps and goes towards the mission the help find a cure for blood cancers. We are fundraising starting today, March 23rd and have till June 4th to raise as much money as possible. So if you have some spare change and want to help with such an awesome event we are so grateful and thankful.

If you'd like to donate. Please go HERE and remember every dollar counts!!

joyful bath giveaway winner.

2011-03-20T16:54:00.001-04:00

I have had a crazy hectic past few days, but I somehow remembered that my giveaway ends today. and I am so excited to announce my winner not only because I get to restock someone;s joyful bath stash …. but because it gives me an excuse to buy more for myself … which will give me a reason to take more baths and to run and workout more.

and the lucky winner is … number 17 (see proof to the right) And number 17 is …. my little auburn friend who I need to go to blast900 with ELIZABETH from Running for Bling! **she could probably use some of this after running the Publix half marathon this morning**

I am placing the order now … so email me if you want to meet up for a pure barre or blast900 or if you want me to mail it. Congrats Elizabeth and Roll Tide! =)

Peachtree Roadrace -- why oh why

2011-03-15T08:22:00.000-04:00

I said I wouldn't do it again since it is so crowded and you end up walking for the 1st mile and having to dodge people who just jump in the course half way just to get the infamous shirt, but for some odd reason I said what the heck and put my name in the lottery system this morning.

The Peachtree Roadrace is an Atlanta "tradition" that I ran for the 1st time last year and (may) do again this year should I get in. Why I am going to put myself through the frustration of an overly crowded 10k race again where 75% of the people participating do it just to do it and get a COTTON tee-shirt, I do not know.

If you're interested in putting your name in the lottery you can do so HERE

joyful bath review & giveaway!!

2011-03-13T21:25:00.001-04:00

on of my favorite activities is taking a long bath and reading a good book. when kyle and i were house hunting there were 3 things i wanted. an awesome kitchen, a backyard, and a fabulous bathtub. i got 2 1/2 … but most importantly i got my bathtub.

i do not really know how or when, but i was introduced to the joyful bath company and was told to try them because “if i liked epsom salts, i would love their salts more”. so i bought a little packet of “green tea glee” to try them out and was pleasantly surprised! i used them in hot baths and ice baths, baths to recover from runs and when i just wanted to relax. when it snowed in January i started to really really follow the joyful bath company on twitter and learned that they do something called #bathday on Wednesdays. (explanation: they tell their faithful followers to tweet one of their product names and if you’re the 11th or 4th or 9th or 24th or *you get it* you win a free product).

Ok… but in all seriousness. I love this company for so many reasons. 1st and most importantly, their products are phenomenal. Up until being introduced to them I swore by epsom salts in my ice baths and hot baths after long runs, blast900 workouts, & on days my legs just hurt. The glorious thing about their products are that many of them have epsom salts mixed into their concoctions. 2nd. The owner. Founder. Creator. She is an athlete so she understands muscle pains and aches. when i get to chat with her on twitter (or whoever runs the twitter page) she is always so joyful and encouraging! 3rd. they’re also wonderful because they ship CRAZY fast. And I mean a package can get from Bethesda Maryland to Atlanta Georgia in 3 days. It is like they have their own little postman! 4th. they smell glorious.

I like so many of their salts for different reasons. post run or for sore muscle days I like Ginger Snap, ‘Nilla Buttermilk, and/or Oatsy Floatsie. Long day at the office? I really like Green Tea Glee or Oatsy Floatsie (the lavender. love.) And when I want to just take a bath to relax or read… Citrus Buzz or Oatsy Floatsie. (Guess, which one is my favorite!!) I also enjoy mixing two kinds together… like Oatsy Floatsie & ‘Nilla Buttermilk :o) ….I have heard good things about Mellow Yellow, yet I have never tried it. Maybe next?

Since I love finding new fun things and I like sharing new fun things… I am giving 1 reader the chance to win 3 samples of 3 products they love or just want to try.

what to do to be the lucky winner:

follow my blog. or tell me that you have been following. (+1)
follow joyful bath on twitter @joyfulbathco (+1) …and once you follow them you can play #bathday on Wednesdays!!
scoot over to their website (link above) and tell me what 3 bath salts you have tried/want to try/like (+1)
your ice bath secret. what do you do to make it manageable?!

Happy entering and hopefully winning. this wonderful fabulous giveaway will end in 1 week. 7 days from now—next sunday the winner will be announced.

three things thursday.

2011-03-10T13:01:00.000-05:00

1. there was a lizard in our house last week. a lizard. he was hiding behind the blinds. of course kyle scooped him up and got him outside but that freaks me out. i don't do lizards. or spiders. and they do not belong in my house. i understand they're warm blooded and like the warmth, but i don't think them, therefore they're not welcome. if i see another one, i am staying in a hotel. sorry mulligan, but that doggie door that leads INTO the kitchen, yeah it is FOREVER staying closed.
2. upon cruising facebook monday morning i learned that one of my buddies from the 1st college i went to away in his sleep. on the couch. at age 28. yes, age 28. They do not really know what happened (there had been some red flags recently. troubles with his insulin, but was seeing new doctors. he had a seizure while driving a few weeks back and got in an accident. but he told everyone he was doing fine.) and won't really know until the reports come back. Andy Towne is a truly awesome individual and though him and I did not keep in touch once I transferred to Alabama, many of my freshman year of college memories have Towne in them. if there is anything that is becoming more and more clear the older and more aware i become, is that life is just way too short and you have to make decisions for yourself and that will make you happy. As much as I regret not keeping in touch with many of my friends from my 1st college I know that many of them touched my life and I am forever grateful for that. Sadly, since graduating college I have heard of 4 friends passing unexpectedly in car accidents, boat accidents, and in their sleep. I feel like people at my young age of 26 (and younger and older) think they're so invincible and they have SO many years ahead of them.... but for me, people like Towne and Brady and Chase and Mabry are constant reminders that tomorrow is not a given.
3. i am sorry. but when it comes to weddings i am REALLY traditional. Thankfully, Kyle knew that an understands that. In my world the boyfriend asks the girlfriend after he is given permission. The girlfriend then becomes the wife and takes the now husband's last name. I will become a Shanahan, no questions asked. Barbara Ann Shanahan to be exact. But... in one of my friend from high school's world I guess his relationship is all about role reversal. A year or so back I noticed that SHE proposed to HIM. My thoughts were... okay okay, maybe she got impatient. Not my style, but to each their own. Then this week I am wondering who the heck "S. Wayland" is... only to click on him and learn that HE TOOK HER LAST NAME. Normally I am left wondering who this girl is that looks familiar but has a strange last name, not the other way around. I can't help but wonder what the Social Security office was thinking when he came in to change his name because he got married. I know, I know this is 2011, but can't some things stay sacred and traditional?!

Have a really great weekend and Friday!!

I have said it before, but something has to give

2011-03-08T21:28:00.000-05:00

Running is the greatest metaphor for life because you get out of it what you put into it.

:: Oprah Winfrey ::

This time last year I had run 1 full marathon, was gearing up to run my 1st half of the year, and had run a handful of 5ks and 10ks and had 1 more full and 2 more halfs on my schedule. I had gone through at least 1 pair of running shoes and done countless loads of running clothes laundry. This year. We're in March and I have barely gotten 12 miles in ALL YEAR. and i want to call myself a runner.

The quote above by Oprah could not be more truthful. If I went out to run a 5k tomorrow, I would struggle but that is because I have not touched or nurtured my running relationship this year. I have 100% put it on the back burner and moved work to the front. As I have been screaming all year I am ready for a change and want to figure out how to get running back into my life. Maybe not racing in 2011, but at least running.

I want to put my goals on paper. I want to tell you how I hope to run at Stone Mountain every weekend starting this weekend and that I want to do Blast900 twice a month and that I want to rejoin a gym and actually use it and that I want to do runs in the neighborhood after work before it gets too dark. (wait i did tell you) I just know that I won't get anything out of my running and I will not be successful at Ragnar or Savannah or even the Brookhaven Bolt if I do not start moving and getting back in the groove.

Yesterday morning I started my new job. But not the new job that I told you about on Thursday. I chose to stay with the company that I have been with since I moved to Atlanta. They have been so great to me and have been my family and the position they countered me with on Friday fits my career goals. Right now, I am in the branch assisting with the transition and then I move up to corporate. And with the corporate move I hope that there will be a balance where I can work and do what I love, but I can also fit in the time to go to the gym. And if that means rejoining LA Fitness because it is just up the street rather than upgrading to Lifetime then so be it...

But if there is 1 truth that needs to be presented is: something HAS to give. Running has to work its way back into my life. Maybe I give up sleeping in on the weekends or I give up the Lifetime marathons or I push myself out the door rather than staying late every night to finish up a project at the office. ....but something HAS to give.

running jacket.

2011-03-06T17:51:00.000-05:00

Not that I need another running jacket, especially since we're nearing the hot summer suns here in Atlanta... but I COVET this one. The Sugoi Women's Versa Jacket has awesome reviews and it is so sleek looking and I heard (ore read) that is is light but oh so warm in those cold winters and it does get cold here in Atlanta during the winter....

AHHHH

2011-03-04T15:23:00.000-05:00

I am really freaking stressed right now. What I could go for is a good mind clearing run right now or take a mind numbing nap, but I don't want to step too far away from my phone, so here I am telling you about an upcoming Atlanta race and watching past seasons of ABC Family Channel's Make it or Break It (thanks Wii Netflix). I am going to leave it at that. I will blog later about my oh so stressful day.

But since my phone is by my side and I am checking it every time it bings, I wanted to share an email / race notification that I go today.

May 1 - Perimeter Area :: Concourse to be exact :: 5k and 2k fun run/walk -- Lauren's Run -- 8:00 AM. The 5K race and 2K fun run/walk will be hosted by CURE Childhood Cancer, an organization that supports research and education for pediatric cancer--the number one cause of death in children. Since 2002, Lauren's Run has raised over $2.5 million for pediatric cancer research.

If you're interested in participating you can go here to register. It is only $20 for pre-race registration and $25 on race day. I will 100% be there and on May 1 the weather should *hopefully* be gorgeous!! And this is my 1st real organized race of the year that I have put on the calendar. Guess I better start training.

Three Things Thursday.

2011-03-03T14:42:00.001-05:00

... three things thursday. once again. not about running. just about life. maybe i should change the name of my blog from "barbie rus" to "barbie lives" ...

1. This past Monday I put in my 2 weeks notice at the company I have worked at for pushing 3 years. It was bittersweet, there are SO many things that I have loved about that company. But, in December I was contacted by a company to "talk" about them, me, and what I wanted. We never connected for who knows what reason, but about 2 weeks ago I was courted again and started talking to them. They offered me a position I just could not turn down. Though I loved working with my coworkers and many people in the company and though i loved SO many aspects of the company as a whole, I just felt thought it was time to gain new experiences. I hate to say that I felt that I had hit my glass ceiling at the company I had been with for years, but I was having the feeling that I was "stuck" where I was since I was stable and good at my job. My old company was without a doubt my "family" here in Atlanta... they're all I have really known since moving here and I am so so thankful for that and for them and for all the memories. I would lie if I said that it was not scary to jump and make a HUGE change since I had a world of job security at my old company, but you don't gain anything without trying and without taking risks no matter how huge they may be. So what's next? I am working as a Talent Manager and I will be responsible for building a team of recruiters, managing them, training and coaching and developing them, and still recruiting & working with clients. Needless to say - I am ready for the challenge and am excited to be starting something new on Monday. The question is: will it be better or worse for my running life. They talked about a work life balance... so *fingers crossed* better.
2. After putting in my notice, I was pretty much told I was done - which is understandable since I was going to competition and had access to a database full of candidate and client info. SO, I have had 4 days to watch Gilmore Girls, shop for the new house, read the book I have to read prior to Monday, lunched with girlfriends, run errands, drink wine, walk the dog, nap with the dog, play with the dog, and take bubble baths! Tomorrow after lunch with a friend, I am planning on getting my Stone Mountain pass and suffereing through a run. It has been the 1st 4 days where I had NOTHING to do since moving to Atlanta and I could totally do this for a living. Why can't I just be rich with zero responsibilities.
3. Kyle and I picked our 1st dance song last night and we danced to it in the living room. And no... I don't want to share what our song is because I want it to be a surprise to those who will be attending our wedding. I love the song so much that I am listening to it now. Ok, one lyric and if you want to look it up, you can do so.... "you're a mystery, you're from outerspace, you're every minute of my everyday" .... But I love having our house and all the space so we can dance to my iTunes. Tomorrow is Kyle's birthday and I am even more excited about that!! =)

With that... I will now give my lifetime movie full attention! =)

Ragnar Update / Moving Plans

2011-02-21T21:29:00.001-05:00

If you have been following my life you should know that this past weekend I moved. Let me tell you, I am IN LOVE with our house. It is bigger than I would like but it is so cozy and us and I am really pleased. Though, we still have a lot to do to get it ready for my parents arrival next month!! I will eventually post a crap ton of pictures, just wait for it.

moving plans. with me being moved there are 2 things I am excited about and need to do. 1) Get a Stone Mountain season pass and make the run around Stone Mountain a weekly occurrence! I am thinking Saturday mornings. Erin. This is your formal invite. 2) Join Lifetime Fitness so I can reenter the world of swimming, spin class, and ellipticals. Even treadmills :: gasp::

ragnar. it is in june. and we just got our running routes. which means it is really happening. which means i need to start running and training so i do not let my team down. so if you don't know anything about ragnar it is 2 vans, 12 people, lots of miles, a relay race. I am leg 11. we run 3 legs with varying lengths. In total, I will run 17.8 miles. 5.5 miles then 4 miles then 8.3 miles. Needless to say, I feel like I need a few 10 milers under my belt and lots of energy gels. ...let the training begin...
I am having some ragnar fears. like running at night. like being kidnapped. like being hit by a car. like being stranded and something happening to me. like running when really tired.

three truths.

2011-02-13T17:52:00.000-05:00

1. I am WAY out of shape. my 2.53 mile run today was ROUGH. I must get a work life balance and I must get running into my life again. The loop I ran I can normally run it 2,3 times easily... today 1 was a challenge.
2. I think I do not like the Nike Frees. I know they're not supposed to have a lot of padding because they're supposed to be like running barefoot, but they hurt my right arch.
3. Running on the treadmill makes you think you can run more than you can. Add the random elevation changes and sudden gusts of wind and man it is a whole different running experience. I think I re-realize this each time the winter starts to fade.

Running Quotes thanks to Dean Karnazes

2011-02-12T21:05:00.001-05:00

It is no secret that Kyle and I are mid-move. And if you're a good mover, you purge A LOT of things. The people at Goodwill will know my name by the time we're 100% settled in our new place. But sadly, one of the many things I am trashing is my magazine collection which means about 10 months of Runner's World issues are being thrown in the dumpster tomorrow.

This last issues of Runner's World had a page of "wisdom" from Dean Karnazes. If you do not know who he is, I have helped you out by sharing his Wikipedia bio/life story/running journey/whatever. But, he had some great Dean-isms that I wanted to share and never lose.

So with that, here you go.

Endurance never sleeps
Even if you're inches away from the finish, never take success for granted.
Endurance sports either strengthen a relationship or destroy it.
We runners don't need a lot. It is not what we have but what we enjoy that constitutes our abundance.
Regardless of how distant your dreams may seem, every second counts.
You cannot grow and expand you capabilities to their limits without running the risk of failures.

And my personal favorite:

"Running has an uncanny ability to mellow the soul, to take the edge off hard feelings, and put things back into perspective"

...and now the magazine goes into the trash...

two things thursday.

2011-02-10T22:00:00.001-05:00

first i want to apologize for being so absent. yes. work. work is way in the way of my running and ability to be a runner. work keeps my head spinning and on top of it, kyle and i are gearing up for a move and moving takes A LOT of time and even more out of you. ....so with that i give you 2 things thursday... rather than 3 things because i cannot even think of 3 things since my life is so consumed with work and the move. so excited for happy hour with the girls tomorrow... it will be much needed & long overdue!

1. on monday, the 14th, kyle and i will have the keys to our new home. :o) we have been taking about a house and talking about a house and FINALLY we are getting one. As exciting as it is, the whole process is overwhelming and expensive. We have to pay the deposits and buy a washer and dryer (thanks best buy for 18 month financing) and a microwave and a kitchen table and pay the movers and get the old apartment repaired and cleaned. oi. the costs. but in the long run we're gonna have more space for the 3 of us and the wedding presents and mulligan will have a backyard! but with that said. i shall share the 2 pictures of the house that i have. the front and the funky tin loving kitchen.

2. work has been crazy busy since the year kicked off. and it has been draining me. seriously. i think about nothing but work when i am at work and away from work. when i get home i am so tired that i want to do nothing but make dinner and sleep and the weekends. goodness. i am in awake by 11:30/12:00 and in bed by 10:00. It has killed my motivation to run or work out. i am planning on buying a year pass to stone mountain for 4 mile hilly runs and joining Lifetime Fitness once we move... I am just hoping with spring coming and the new gym (spin class and the pool) I can find my motivation again. i need someone to seriously teach me a work/life balance. how do you people do it?! i want to try to figure out how to work it into my work day -- give me 1 hour per day to just check out, like i used to... but it is damn near impossible.

blast900 coupon. :: another one for you atlanta kids ::

2011-02-06T21:16:00.000-05:00

we should all know by now that i have a hate/love relationship with Buckhead's Blast900. Hate it when I am there... love it a few days later.

I have ANOTHER opportunity for you to get 3 classes for REAL cheap! Atlanta's Half Off Depot has a coupon for 3 for $25 [normally - one class is $28]. That is a 70% discount ... saving you $84.00! Seriously... you have to try this workout. Buy the coupon HERE (not confirmed but it may be for their Dunwoody location only)

If you're still wondering what Blast900 is ... here you go.

"In each hour-long session you’ll burn 900 calories by alternating short, intense treadmill blocks with full-body strength training. You’ll feel challenged and motivated, no matter what your fitness level, and with a workout packed with creative, dynamic exercise concepts, you’ll never get bored."

sticking to the goals. and my guns.

2011-02-02T22:04:00.000-05:00

The Chicago Marathon registration opened this week. The few friends I do have in Chicago from college and 1 from high school are marathoners too (YAY) and they wanted me to do it A LOT. But if you remember, I said NO MARATHONS IN 2011. ....and it was hard to say no. and no again. and no some more.

I want to run Chicago. Just not this year. My job is SO busy that I cannot even fit in a bathroom break more than 2 times a day (and man do I drink water from my SIGG water bottle) so how would I fit in marathon training. Plus one of my greatest and bestest friends is getting married the following Saturday so I can't miss 2 weekends of football and I cannot waddle down the aisle!

So I said no. But mark my word. Chicago in 2012. Doing it. And that is a promise.

my commute and runners.

2011-01-27T20:23:00.001-05:00

true statement: i have a commute that really is not fun on my way home but there is something that i love about my 45 minute, 5 mile commute. watching the runners.

they run alone. with friends. in groups. but they just run. in the rain. in the heat. in the freezing cold.

i sometimes wonder why the runners run in the dark in all black with no reflectors. i sometimes wonder how they can run the same route day in and day out and never take a day off. …but i like how people just run.

there are a lot of things that i like about Atlanta and there are things i don't like about Atlanta. but what i do like is that it seems like there are runners EVERYWHERE and when i cannot run or don’t want to run, i am always in awe of the dedicated ones.

So to those dedicated ones – you’re really an inspiration to so many… if only it would inspire me to try and find more time to fit a run into my oh so busy life.

Polar Bear 5K Run - I bailed.

2011-01-25T19:14:00.002-05:00

So a few weeks back I signed up to run my first 5k (and first organized race of 2011) of the year. I chose the Polar Bear Run in Marietta for 2 main reasons. (1) I wanted to see how far I had fallen as a runner after pretty much sitting on my butt since October and (2) I really want to work on my 5K this year so I needed a 2011 starting time.

For week I had planned to not set out to set a PR at this race. I just knew that I wanted to run it in at least 35 minutes (which is 2 minutes slower than my 5K PR) and I wanted to give my nike free running shoes a race trial especially since i was kind of on the fence about them.

Well, my alarm went off at 6:30 AM on Saturday and I hit snooze. And then I hit snooze again and again and again. I did not get out of bed and I did not run. My body was just too tired from this past week and bowling on Friday night that it kept saying "do not do it" --- normally I can just muster through, get up, wake up, and go, but Saturday morning it was SO different.

BUT! I told myself that I was going to not let sleeping in and being a lazy bum hold me back from running 3.1 and today I ran my own little 5k on the treadmill so I could figure out how far I had fallen and figure out my 5k time and my nike frees.

Well. I ran 3.1 in 35:25 (average pace of 11:25) which is 2 minutes slower than my PR so I guess I did not do too bad. I felt pretty good the whole run (minus the treadmill shocking me every time I touched it) but I definitely could not go much farther than 3.1 which means I have a lot of work to do over the next few months for Ragnar in June. But I did remember how much I miss just running and listening to the music.

The nike frees -- I just cannot decide. I can feel my legs getting stronger but I just do not think they give my feet the support they need (or are used to).

The Nike Free Saga / Review

2011-01-16T19:22:00.017-05:00

Months ago I decided I wanted a pair of Nike Free running shoes but I told myself I would get through Marine Corps Marathon training and running before buying a pair. Then all of a sudden it was holiday shopping time so I just decided to throw them on my Christmas list. I figured there would not be any problem in finding them or getting them and since they were #1 on my list someone, somewhere had to break down and buy them for me... ...that is until Oprah came out with her stupid "Oprah's Favorite Things" episode and proclaimed that she LOVED the Nike Free Running Shoe. .....and with that every Oprah watching woman in America (and probably the world) went out and bought herself a pair of Nike Free shoes (to probably never ever run in, but to grocery shop and take little Tommy to daycare in). Oprah is the modern day King Midas... everything she touches (or says) turns to gold and everyone has just got to have it and/or do what she says (i would insert my political opinion here, but that is too controversial so i won't say it.)

And that leaves me... the RUNNER who refuses to buy Vibrams because they look ridiculous but wants to try and "barefoot"/minimalist shoe thing who has heard amazing things about Nike Free shoes ..... shoeless. Ba Hum Bug. :o(

Originally... the plan was to go to zappos and get them for $85 and free shipping. But thanks to Oprah and her faithful followers I was forced to look all over the Internet for a pair and found a pair at DSW for $79.95 (already cheaper) + free shipping + $10.00 off thanks to rewards gift certificate. So $75.55 with tax. I did not get the muted blue and gray ones I initially wanted, but ordered a dark gray and loud teal pair. There is a catch though: I ordered a 9.5 rather than a 10 hoping that maybe they fit. THEN! I went to Dicks Sporting Goods one day (just because) and they had a pair of black and hot pink ones. In size 10. (and i was right, the 9.5 were too small, so I would have to return them to DSW) So, I snagged them - not really liking the color scheme. Since I did not like the overall look of the shoe, I did not take them out of my car, I left them in the back seat hoping that maybe when I went to DSW they would have a size 10 and I could just exchange them and then return the pair from Dicks and still get them at the awesome price... Well the DSW ones came and they were gorgeous and when I went to exchange them... they did not have a single pair of nike free shoes in any size so I had to return them ... leaving me with a pair of black and hot pink shoes ... which honestly are a little too loud looking for me, but I figured beggars can't be choosers and I FINALLY have a pair of Nike Free running shoes so suck it up and run in them. :: big sigh. deep breathe. big sigh. ::

BUT!!! As I searched for a picture of said loud shoes to post for your viewing pleasure, I stumbled across Shoe Station and across a pair of size 10 in the same coloring of the pair from DSW for $79.99 with free shipping and then with a 20% off coupon making them $69.11 (which was cheaper than DSW and I hate paying full price for anything). SO.. BAM I ordered them with tons of excitement and I tracked the package and tracked the package. Then, it snowed and iced in Atlanta throwing UPS for a tailspin and closing my office for 3 days. SO, when UPS was allowed to work again, my office was still closed and UPS tried to deliver my shoes. when they learned that my company was closed, the driver decided to play Santa and gave my shoes to some random receptionist named "nelson" at some random company. enter anger and fear that i may never have the cute shoes and be stuck with the black and pink ones... WELL, I ended up coming to the office with a sticker on my door telling me to follow the rainbow to find the pot of gold. Suite 750 had my shoes. My coveted shoes. And then I returned the other pair to Dicks.

So... after all this, I of course just had to try them out. And after a few runs and wearing them around the apartment ... my final opinion is this.

They are very pleasing to the eye, insanely light, and fight like a sock -- however, the "tongue" of the shoe may drive me nutty.
Super comfy.
There is VERY little padding on the bottom and that is because they're supposed to simulate barefoot running
The toe box is HUGE so the shoe does not feel too tight, yet my toes/foot is snug so I do not predict any bli
This may just be me... but I can for sure feel my legs getting stronger
I hate my foot getting hot and these are totally breathable

I have a 5k this Saturday in Marietta and I am going to wear these to REALLY give them a whirl and I am going to try them out at blast900 in 2 weeks.

And with that said. I won't have to buy these as often as my Brooks since I do not see myself logging high miles in them, but I will buy them again. And thanks to Oprah I am going to have to watch zappos website...

Stylish Blogger Award

2011-01-14T22:59:00.002-05:00

When I was SLAMMED at work today (yeah thanks snow days thanks) my BlackBerry binged and I had an email from one of my blog followers staying that she was passing the Stylish Blog Award onto me. And as someone who so desperately wants a teeny tiny bit of style I was thrilled to know that Ashley likes my blog and thinks it is stylish! Thanks girl!

So from here, I am supposed to tell you 7 random facts about me.

1. I am a horrible decision maker and I am getting married. Once the real wedding planning starts (like food decisions, flowers, THE DRESS) I can see myself having mini panic attacks. Don't tell me to look at pictures, because looking at magazines & pictures only makes my decision making fears worse. There are WAY too many options out there. Oi.
2. I used to LOVE to spend money, but now that it is my own money I hate to buy anything. I refuse to buy things at full price and I price shop for pretty much everything. And moving into this new house pains me because I will have to pull money out of savings for the 1st time in months... maybe even since I moved to Atlanta 2 years ago. But... when I do shop, man do I shop. I am a fan of the finer things in life.
3. I have a pretty major case of OCD and control freakism. I carry a notebook around that is my to-do list and I find myself staring at it and updating it frequently and no one else can do anything on my to do list because it just will not be done right. Needless to say, I am overwhelmed A LOT.
4. True Statement. I have so much stuff. There is a VERY big possibility that I am a pack rat. No where near the point that I could earn a spot on Hoarders, but seriously... hand me the trash bags when I move next month and tell Goodwill to send a truck.
5. If I could I would live on Mexican Food. I love tacos and quesadillas and guacamole and cheese dip and margaritas and salsa.
6. I so desperately want to get into a solid steady work out routine, but when you mix my crazy job, my attention seeking mutt, and my "i want to watch trashy tv" personality it is very very hard. baby steps in 2011 baby steps.
7. I can (and have) scarfed down a pint of ice cream in one sitting and I am not ashamed to admit it. Dove makes some pretty amazing ice cream.
And from here I am supposed to pass this onto 7 new blogs that I found. ....but I think pretty much my whole blogging social circle has been awarded this award so this may be a challenge!

Have a great weekend - I can't wait to break in my new running shoes and put my race bibs in my new scrapbook thanks to Laura Elaine Designs - stay tuned for a write up!!

three things thursday.

2011-01-13T10:49:00.000-05:00

Hey Thursday. This feels weird because up until today, I have not left the house since Sunday and no I do not have cabin fever. Honestly, I am not even sure that today is really Thursday and if there wasn't a calendar to my right I would think today was Tuesday.

1. I was out of work due to snow and ice on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. That my friends is a 5 day weekend. And I managed to do NOTHING that I wanted to do. The dog did not get washed (what a stinker). I did not clean the bathrooms. I did not start purging the crap that I have collected after 2 years of living in this apartment. I did however, work from home a bit, lay in bed ALL day and watch The Millionaire Matchmaker, drink a few too many beers during the national championship [boo auburn], play Just Dance 2 on the Wii, and play with the dog. ....wasn't a very productive 5 day weekend but I did enjoy being a bum with Kyle. I did have to go to work today and let me tell you, I hate driving on ice. At least this time I managed to not break the axle on my car OR pop a tire. baby steps my friends. I will leave it at that.
2. Even though there are 400+ days (that's over a year ya'll) till I get married, everyone has been bugging me about making a wedding website, but I thought those free sites from theknot.com and places like that are boring and not fun and with our families so far away, i decided to make a wedding website blog ... which will then turn into a newlywed blog / our life in georgia blog ... and maybe at some point a baby blog (maybe, babies freak me out). SO if you care ... here is the link. I am honestly going to try and keep up with that one more than I do the blog about our dog.
3. Kyle and I found a rental house that we really really like and that lets you have pets (there are even doggie doors) and we decided to take the plunge and say bye to apartment living and hello to home living. If our application is approved (and it is looking like it will be...fingers crossed) We move in February 15th, which means we need to pack and schedule movers and cleaning teams (thank goodness half depot has a coupon for steam cleaning). It is in Tucker, Georgia which gives me a longer commute but takes miles off of Kyle's (we're now basically in the middle) and it has a pretty good kitchen, a HUGE master bedroom and an awesome bathtub. =) We're excited about this and I am REALLY excited about decorating and all the cabinet space and now we need to learn how to use a lawn mower. Oi.

Workout Stolen from Runners World.

2011-01-11T19:28:00.001-05:00

Forgive me for putting this on my blog (err.... maybe you may find it useful), but I am in the middle of purging my apartment of all the clutter since Kyle and I are moving into a house next month and let me tell you ... I am a pack rat. The things I am stumbling across make you cock your head to the side and ask "why do i have this?!" YIKES.

I want this for (I don't really know why) and I am sure Kyle does not want to pack pulled out magazines pages so I am typing up key points of treadmill running workout tips from Runners World. Granted - I have not done any of these yet ... but I do plan on it since they're made for beginners and my lazy butt is a beginner again! AND I want a point of reference.

Pace Boosting
warm up for 6 minutes by alternating 30 seconds jogging & walking. Increase speed - walk 30 seconds run 30 seconds. Continue the 30/30 ratio. Increase speed with each run segment

Fast workouts
Jog 3 minutes. Increase speed, run for 2 minutes. Walk 30 seconds. Repeat, increase run part to 3 minutes. Walk 30 seconds. Repeat....

Distance Run
increase speed till running comfortably. run 2 minutes, walk 1. Repeat 2:1 ratio 3 times. then bump up the ratio to 3:1 repeat 3 times. end run with 2 more 2:1 segments and then 1:1

Hills
gradually increase speed until you're at an easy run pace. run for 3 minutes. raise incline to 2% for 1 minute then to 4% for 1 minute. Lower incline and rest for 1 minute then raise to 4% and run for 2 minutes. alternate running 2 minutes at an incline with 1 minute on the flat for as long as you can.

....and as i typed these up i think i should totally incorporate them into my workouts once the snow goes away and i get out of the apartment to run on the treadmill .... maybe tomorrow

2010 training summary.

2011-01-11T14:19:00.002-05:00

Thanks Dailymile for a great recap of my 2010. Some AWESOME months ... some not so awesome months. Best thing about a new year ... starting over. January has been a bit slow {and I am currently snowed in} but I will dust off the running shoes soon. Promise.

384 miles run. average of 7 miles per week. 125 workouts total. 17 pounds burned.

running goal two - started.

2011-01-08T14:19:00.003-05:00

goal two. blast900. it is pricey but i want to do it at the minimum 2 times per month. it is a killer work out and can do/will do a lot for my stamina and running

I am off to a good start - now I just gotta keep it up. This morning a friend and I went to Blast900 in Buckhead for a crazy hour worth of hill repeats, sprints, arms, legs, core, intervals, endurance training and much more. We did everything in 5 minute intervals (5 minutes on floor then 5 minutes on the treadmill ... and you just keep rotating for a full hour) and used everything from hand weights to weighted balls. My arms were BURNING about 3 minutes in and I wanted to puke while doing core work. ...and in total, we probably ran about 2 miles on the treadmill.

I have mentioned Blast900 a few times before, but if you're wondering what it really is this is their website. To be 100% honest, while you're there... it is hell. But after the fact, you feel really worked out and if this does not help my running, by god I must not be pushing myself hard enough.

If you're in Atlanta and wanting to try it .... your 1st class is on the house. From there is it $28 per class so it is kinda pricey, but if you go HERE you can buy 3 classes for $34 rather than $84 and save yourself some cash.

I probably won't be there next weekend, but I will for sure be there in 2 weekends.

2011 Goals Created.

2011-01-04T20:50:00.000-05:00

as well all know from my previous post i did not do so well on my 2010 goals. but no fear - I am not going to be too hard on myself for I will be the first one to stand up and say I (a) let work rule my life (b) chose to be a runner who slept in on weekends and (c) was a slacker.

for 2011 i wanted to set both goals for my running and personal life. and with that statement - here are my goals for the year ahead of me.

RUNNING

goal one. find a work.life.relationship balance with the world of working out and running. 2010 was all about getting the job done and sacrificing runs. 2011 will be about getting the job done but also getting my work out in. how this will happen... tbd.
goal two. blast900. it is pricey but i want to do it at the minimum 2 times per month. it is a killer work out and can do/will do a lot for my stamina and running.
goal three. focus on the little races and increasing speed and stamina. I would like to run a sub30 5k this year and run a 10k in under a hour and a 2 hour half marathon.
goal four. vary the workouts. if that means rejoining a gym, that means rejoining a gym to get in swimming and spin. or just finding the local rec center and seeing what they have to offer.
goal five. run more than 500 miles in 1 year.
goal six. find a running buddy or group to hold me accountable
goal seven. train for big races. fully train. stick to the training schedule.
goal eight. not run a marathon. (you're probably saying WHAT?) but i would like to focus more on finding and making a routine and a balance between life, work, and running so when i do decide to do another one I am 100% committed to all the runs and workouts.

PERSONAL

goal one. floss more. wear my crest white strips more often. i have a wedding that i need REALLY pretty teeth for.
goal two. read more. i'd like to read at least 1 book per month. 12 books per year.
goal three. save more. spend less. 110% stick to my monthly budgets.
goal four. find a house to rent here in atlanta to give my crazy dog a backyard to run in.
goal five. volunteer with an organization. no idea yet. if you have ideas, please send them my way.
goal six. one diet coke per day. all year long. cut back on the sweets. eat healthier.
goal seven. take kyle to an alabama football game. in bryant denny.
goal eight. take 1 bubble bath per week. 4 spa days per year. learn to decompress.

....i hope everyone has a safe and happy 2011!

2010 goals revisited.

2010-12-31T14:45:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!!

Yikes, really, where did 2010 go?! I hope everyone had an awesome year and are looking forward to an even better 2011! ...with the end of the year, I guess that means I need to revisit what I had planned for the year and see how well I did/did not do.

And here we go...

resolution one: take this thing called running more seriously. actually TRAIN for big events. don't go out and wing it. {result: um. I did a lot of winging it this year. I think the only race I was REALLY prepared for was the Atlanta 13.1 in October and it was more of a training run than a race. whoops.}
which leads to resolution two: run at the minimum 60 miles per month. do the 10% rule so i do not get injured. {result: lets as a group laugh out loud at this one. i had i think 2 months over 60 miles and 2 months under 10 miles.}
resolution three: incorporate cross training. swim. row. kick box. take spin classes. I signed up at LA Fitness ... now I just have to use it. {result: truth be told, i did a lot more cross training at the beginning of the year and when i canceled my gym membership i started doing none. i learned that swimming is hard and i LOVE spin.}
resolution four: focus on pace and form to get faster. build my endurance. incorporate hill training, tempo runs, speed workouts. focus on long distances. just get faster. {result: hills: yes. tempo runs: no. speed workouts: iffy. focus on distance: iffy just get faster: ehh kinda.}
resolution five: do more races. focus on finding 10ks rather than 5ks. I am at a point where a 5k is fun, but it is not a challenge for me. I want to be challenged in 2010 ~ shall we call 2010 the year of 10ks?! **don't hear me wrong, I will still run them ... work toward a PR, but I want to focus on distance next year!** {result: I started out with a lot of 10ks and some 5ks, about one per month. then it got pricey so i scaled back at the end of the year. ...and so did my running.}
resolution six: run a half marathon (or more) and be prepared for it - rock it out! {result: total half marathons run: 3 total ready for 1.5 (Atlanta, yes. ING pretty much. Nashville, if the hills were not so killer than yes)}

and with that my friends, we have my year in a nutshell. going into 2011 lets hope I can learn to balance work, my relationship, and running.

total miles: 387.03 for the year...

three things thursday.

2010-12-30T17:15:00.003-05:00

last thursday of 2010. Where did the year go?!

Random statement: I am doing REALLY bad at getting those 8 miles in... I may do 4 later tonight and then 4 tomorrow. I really want to land on 600 but goodnight I have been mentally and physically exhausted from all my travels and work.

1. as of last week my bridal party was complete. I have a maid of honor. A matron of honor. And 4 bridesmaids. Kyle has a best man and 3 groomsmen. My maid of honor keeps offering to become a groomswoman to even out the sides since she likes Kyle so much... I think if we weren't such traditionalists we would let her flip to Kyle's side but yeah in reality, that won't happen. Sorry E.

2. a week or so ago i ordered my wedding shoes. the shoes that i plan on wearing with my dress on the day i get married. don't ask me what prompted me to purchase said shoes and no i do not have a dress just yet (nor have i tried any on)... but i knew i wanted to have my shoes prior to my dress shopping and i saw these and loved them since they're just simple and they were on said for $45.00. Sold... to the girl getting married in 400+ days. Aren't they pretty (they're prettier in person). :o) AND I am thinking about making my bridesmaids and maid of honor and matron of honor have matching ones... but in navy.

3. Kyle got me a wii for Christmas (wahoo) and I have turned into an excitable little child. However, the wii makes me a whole new person. In one wii session this week I tripped Kyle, pushed him twice, and kicked him in the knee. Each time he asked me "who are you" .... then the next night I started crying because I could not make my person cycle right. I blame the tears on exhaustion though. Kyle is without a doubt wondering if the wii was a bad idea. I however, l-o-v-e it and appear to be a wii master when kyle is not around, but if we're playing together i am horrible. mulligan hates the thing and likes to jump on us while we play. Gamestop has buy 2 used games get one free and well, I got 3 new games already. I really want a dance game though. like really bad.

Happy New Year!! I hope you have a happy and safe New Years! =)

...8 miles...

2010-12-26T13:35:00.002-05:00

GOAL:

to get is 8 miles before 2010 ends ... that will put my mile ticker at 600 miles even.

that will put me at 392.53 miles for the 2010 calendar year (man I was a slacker trainer)

looks like i need to recharge the dead garmin and lace my shoes up

And... I think going with the 10% goal... I want to run 431.78 miles in 2011.

Barbie Runs!!

:: Florida Running ::

Twisted Resolution Run 5k :: Race Recap / Review

Oh How I Forgot

2012 Goals

Dear Trip Home To VA:

Greenboro Work Trip.

Holiday Booty Buster - Week 1

Tuesday Thoughts.

foto friday - mercedes half marathon medal.

three things thursday

big pumpkin 5k :: race photos

Big Pumpkin 5k :: Race Review

Life oh Life.

foto friday - hilarious

Three Things Thursday

Three Things Thursday.

RnR Savannah.

Marathon Coupon Code

Hey Runners–help me out!

foto friday–beat florida

three things thursday–truth edition.

New Running Spot & Atlanta 13.1

three things thursday.

Running Quote.

… Big Peach Sizzler 2011 Race Recap …

Big Peach Sizzler - Race Photo

New Running Shoes!

three things thursday.

work out rut.

race i want to do but can't do. waaaahhhh.

Not a Garmin but a Timex.

life is awesome & words to live by.

three things thursday.

Work Travel

Three Things Thursday.

Sale Alert! Sale Alert!

three things thursday.

to do list.

Blast900 -- review number two.

30 day challenge. week one.

Out of town running.

half way to 2012 -- goals check in.

I am doing it. 30 day challenge that is.

30 day challenge.

Three Things Thursday.

National Running Day

our tuscaloosa trip

Three Things Thursday.

kettle ball workouts.

the great shirt debate.

So. When is it okay to wear a race shirt?

Rock and Roll Savannah!

Brookhaven Bolt 2011–Race Recap

Likes:

Dislikes:

Highlights:

weekly round up.

200. have i really blogged 200 times.

Favorite Things.

three things thursday - tornado edition.

another week.

another way to help tuscaloosa.

three things thursday.

high mile month.

weekly wrapup.

three things thursday.

Ragnar Runners Needed Update.

Weekly Work Out Round Up (vol. 2)

Ragnar Update

weekly workout (episode 1)

Boot Camp #1

Three Things Thursday.

$10.00 Boot Camp for a Cure.

weekend plans.

three things thursday.

2011 Peachtree Roadrace - not gonna happen

pure barre atlanta 1st timer.

*shameless plug*

joyful bath giveaway winner.

shameless plug