Sunday, December 30, 2012

Weekend Happs | 12.30.12

A run: 8 miles in the morning, sans rain. It was too nice.



Here are some visuals from the weekend. It was a lovely one - I got to meet up with three of my favorite people that I don't get to see nearly enough of as I would like. As I would like = 5x/week. I'm a high maintenance friend.














I hope you had a fantastic weekend! Enjoy the New Year.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Thoughtsday

No run today! The day had been a little wild with constant go-here, go-there so that was the activity that got the cut. What did not was a sharing of vegetable fajitas from Azteca with the husband. Thanks to my brother-in-law for that gift card.

Now, some 100% (un)important thoughts!

1. I had the recent pleasure of trying homemade marshmallows for the first time and whoa. Hot chocolate has never tasted better.


2. Gillian Flynn is my new favorite author. So far I have read "Dark Places" and am halfway (and quickly devouring) "Gone Girl." She is brilliant, and has this way with her writing that makes you feel like you could be right there watching the scene unfold. It's the closest I've come to feeling like I'm watching a movie, when I'm really reading a book.

3. I'm scared for my Thursday night life next year when there is no Office OR Parks and Rec. I should start saving for therapy now.

Have you ever tried homemade marshmallows? Also, I need to hear some good book recommendations so life can go on until the next Gillian Flynn book.

Enjoy your evening!



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

And on to the next one

A run: A lovely 3 miles in the morning before work. I wished I could have gone longer, but I was already allowing myself only 29 minutes to get ready after the run, so I really should't push myself to go any further.









Tear - it's always a little heartbreaking to return to work after Christmas. After all the prep and family and downright fun, it can be tough to get back into a regular routine. In fact, I blocked it out so well that I sorta forgot about that whole early morning wake-up call and decided to go see "Django Unchained" with these fancy folks:


'Staches for all! Don't worry, we left those at home and decided it would be a much better idea to bring outrageously full bellies to a 3-hour movie. I'm the "sweet, there's no one sitting in front of me so I'll rest my feet on the back of the seat" girl, which is quite comfortable. However, this movie was off the chain (pun intended), and the theater was packed so there was none of that. The movie was very well done, as all Quentin Tarantino flicks are, so it was a worthwhile night that lacked of sleep.

The most important thought I've been reviewing lately is which marathon training plan to use for my next marathon in June. I really liked my first training plan, which I got from Runner's World, but I would like to try something different and maybe a little more challenging. Hal's Intermediate 2 plan caught my eye, except for 2 things: I don't cross train and I like my long runs on Saturdays. Do you think it's possible to switch Saturdays short run and Sundays long run? 

I would love to hear what marathon plans have worked for you!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry CHRISTmas!

I hope you have a very merry day filled with the people (and cookies) you love the most!


As for me, I got my wish of magically getting Ambrose Burnside as a husband. In my mind, it's temporary, but in his, I think he's really hoping he'll stick around awhile.

Enjoy your day.





Saturday, December 22, 2012

Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica

 **Whoever names the source of this post's title wins my heart for-ev-er. It's only one of the greatest shows ever.

A run: 4 miles outside in the pouring rain. I discovered that wearing a hat with a visor seriously helps keep the rain off my glasses. You would have thought I came to realize this sooner since it rains  good half of my runs. Winner, winner.




I did Fitnessistsa's Tabata workout yesterday morning, which had me walking similar to Frankenstein today. I love these quick, 4-minute workouts because you can do them in the comfort of your own home and don't require any equipment. I've gotten used to doing them more in the morning when it's dark, cold and rainy, and then save my run for the afternoon.

In other news, I love beets. Everything about them! They are so pretty and pink, and taste a lot better than I had ever imagined. In even better news recently, research has been done that these suckers may increase a runner's endurance and speed. Two things that I could always certainly use more of.

This morning I threw a party for these precious beets and invited a couple of our good friends:


I'm seriously addicted to roasting vegetables. I forgot to label it, but that clump of tinfoil in the  back is garlic. My husband really enjoys his wife to reek of beets and garlic.

I'm off for now - those Christmas cookies aren't going to eat themselves. ;) Have a great weekend!


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Thoughtsday

 #1. I thoroughly cleaned out my car for the first time since July 2007. (The operative word being thoroughly - please don't think I'm gross.) My CD carriers were having a hard time shutting, so I took the big step of taking out the CD booklets.

Ta-da! What gems. Bye bye booklets, long live compact discs.


#2. The first snowfall of the season arrived today, and I didn't even catch a picture! The schools were closed but my work was open. The rain came hard and fast later on in the morning, but it was sure pretty to see when I woke up.

#3. I'm getting really excited for marathon training to begin at the end of January. I love having a running schedule instead of going by how I'm feeling. Basically, it's my not-so-secret stubbornness that keeps me pushing when some days I just don't wanna.

So tell me! What past musician loves do you have hiding in your car? Also, I'm eager to hear about your thoughts on training plans. Do you like planning each running day down to the mile, or do you take more of a go-with-the-flow approach?

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Christmas Preparations

| The Run: 6 miles outdoor this manana. It was cold and wet, but still felt great. I got really ravenous towards the end, which makes breakfast taste 343 times better. |



 Tonight we finally delved into Christmas shopping. To add to the fact that it's 12/12/12, it's also 12 days away from Christmas, which puts my Reindeer-printed panties in a bunch. I feel unprepared, but at the same time I'm like "bring it." I just need to put my Christmas shopping in 5th gear and get this party started.

While we did make a dent, I will still need to visit Ye Olde Great Kitsap Mall a couple more times to finish it all off.

I do have to say though, while I am not a shopper by any means (I get too tired and too hungry too fast), there's something about the act of Christmas shopping that separates itself from any other shopping experience. There's the hundreds of people around, there's the decor, there's the music, and don't even get me started in all the cutie kids waiting in Santa's line with their best cutie clothes. There's something about all those extras that makes fighting the crowds and waiting in lines seem okay. Plus, the white chocolate peppermint latte doesn't make matters worse.

What are your thoughts on Christmas shopping? Are you all finished? (If you are, feel free to come on over here. I'll hold your latte while you shop.)