Wednesday, May 23, 2012

I'm gonna try!

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267-269-14350-0,00.html

This is a good decision after a team treat run to DQ-(ugh, it got me again!)  I may not run every day but I am going to try and if nothing else, hopefully it will help me increase how often I run!

Two more sleeps until Chaz and I will be on our way to Seattle!  I am so excited!!!!!  The anticipation has been building for like at least three month now!  I can't believe it's here!  And I need a break like I need a salad!  Holy hellz ballz have the last three weeks been stressful.  And to top it off, Chaz's catalytic converter was stolen off of his truck Sunday night...while it was parked in our parking lot!  (straight up biatches!)  Cool, right?!  And $400 later that has proven to be a royal pain in the behind, but ya know what?  I don't care because I leave for Alaska in 2 days!  (THANK YOU GOD!)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Roxanne...

Last weekend I went camping with two lovely ladies...one of my best friends Tonya, and her coworker Cassie.

We headed to a great state park in Central MN.  After a host of issues with the reservation (umm...don't you think they should post in bold letters that the bathrooms may be closed?!?!) we were all set to go.

We arrived Friday afternoon, did some grocery shopping, then started setting up camp.


Now in the good old days, I was definitely a tom boy.  I was rough and tough and loved rolling around in the mud.  Now a days I'm a bit more of a girly girl.  Yes I still love getting down and dirty with my bad self but I was a bit nervous about a "true" camping experience without the hubby.  My main concern was getting a fire started!  Oh yeah, and those bathrooms.  Of course the hubby gave me a pep talk, but I was still a bit worried.  Luckily we had camp expert Cassie to run the joint...that girl had it all under control!

And even though the camp ended up opening their bathrooms, they only opened the ones on the south end.  This equalled quite a hike for a quick pee break.  However, Cassie had the balls to bring up bringing her mom's portable "luggable" loo-yep, you heard me right!-just in case it was needed.  While I was hesitant at first, I must say that that little loo got a lot of late night action, especially since we were getting our drink on!  BEST IDEA EVER!

Photo by Tonya

We were all over staying hydrated!

The first night we played games, we drank, and ate some ridiculously awesome chili!  We straight up ate like Queens this weekend!  Sure Boys can start fires and pee standing up, but hell, girls can cook and we certainly did!

The first night was chili with all the fixings!  We brought Chili from Chaz's work so all we had to do was heat it up!  Perfect since we ate around 9 pm! 

The next morning we pulled out the good old pudgy pie makers and whipped up some stuffed french toast. 


Since we ate at 11 am, we didn't get around to lunch until after a long hike so we had lunch around 5.  And of course we had to use those little pudgy pie makers again to make some grilled cheese!  Seriously, fricken delicious!

Photo by Tonya

And the final morning we had eggs topped with chili and cheese and some morningstar sausages on the side.  Again, yummy!


We laughed, we cried, we made fun of Tonya traipsing off to find "free" fire wood!  That girl was all about the kindling and we pretty much figured we would find her in a tree somewhere.  We made fun of the DNR front desk lady.  She was a royal biatch and really made for some great late night campfire jokes.  Her name was Roxanne...and we will never forget her!

We packed up early as it was Mother's Day, and headed off to celebrate our respective mother's, but not without feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and just a little bit more outdoorsy! 

I can't wait for the next girls camping weekend!  Hell, the boys can come too but I'm not sure their skills will measure up!

Monday, May 21, 2012

1 of 12....

Saturday was the first 5k is my goal to run 12 5K's in the next 12 months.  I ran the North Side Street Race 5k.  Let's just say it didn't go super well.  I finished in 37 minutes and some seconds.  It was a small race-not chipped or anything.  Just a clock at the end to let us know what time we came in at.  Even with that time, I still ran (and walked) about a 12 minute mile, but the race and I just did not mesh.

On a serious note, I have had three really stressful weeks at work.  I have not focused on running and have really let my nerves get the best of me.  I have dealt with anxiety in the past but have really made ridiculous strides to over come it.  The past 3 weeks however make me feel completely the opposite.  And so, I think that a breakfast that did not sit well, mixed with not running as much over the past few weeks, mixed with heat and humidity, and my recent ability to not control my anxiety, measured up to a bombed race.  I ran the first mile, and then had to walk a bit after feeling nauseous.  This lead to short stints of running followed by short stints of walking the rest of the way.  I just kind of lost my mojo and couldn't get it back.  They sure know what they are talking about when they say that a lot of running is mental. 

Yesterday it had cooled off due to a storm so I decided I needed a relaxing evening run.  I logged 1.6 miles, and in under a 12 minute/mile pace.  It felt good, and it really made me feel relaxed.  I just wish I could mimic this feeling in a race setting more often. 

I am still wavering as to whether or not I should run a 5k in Alaska...I am thinking I may just need a break and some true relaxation, and then I can come back and pick a different race for June.  We'll see!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Friday Five...

Happy Friday Everyone!
  • I am running a Warrior Dash 5k in September...think running over fire, under rope courses, through mud, and climbing walls...in addition, I am trying to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.  I would appreciate and be so grateful for any monetary donation you can give!  Check out my page!
  • I am going to run 12 5k's in 12 months.  I got the idea from this blogger, who got the idea from another blogger.  Do you think there are indoor races in the winter time?!?!?!?  I will start my adventure tomorrow with May's 5k!
  • I am trying to be ubber prepared for my trip to Alaska!  I have been reading up on what to pack and emailing my sister-in-law! I am fricken stoked!
  • The Dictator was not as funny as I thought it would be. Wait for the RedBox. I am going to see What to Expect when you're Expecting on Sunday...I imagine I will like this one a bit more.
  • I made this wonderful, unhealthy recipe this week!  Yummy!  I added some portabella mushrooms and some chicken on the side for Chaz and it was perfect!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Portable Loo...

That title is going to leave you guessing, because I am not going to recap my camping trip until tonight but hopefully it leaves you wanting more!

I weigh in on Wednesday's but this Wednesday I was so busy running out the door to an Orthopedic appointment that I forgot to do it...and again this morning.  I haven't missed a weigh in for a few months now.  And of course if happens the week I started partnering with a friend for continued motivation and support.  We will share our ups and downs with each other and hopefully it will have us both feeling bomb!  I have been on the down slope so all together I am feeling great, but I want to keep it up! 

This week has been full of homework and prepping for our trip to Alaska!  I even bought myself some mother fricken hiking boots!
I'm gonna have to find some hiking trails in the MN to make the purchase worth it but I am down for the challenge.  They're totally men's boots, not like the female hiking boots were anymore more feminine, but I wouldn't have minded a pink shoe lace or something to make them girly...I digress.  But I am stoked to have some wonderful, water proof shoes to really get down and dirty in Alaska.  I can not wait to take it all in! 

And I have two (one for sure) races coming up.  I have a 5k this Saturday, and maybe another 5k while in Alaska.  I have only been doing small, 1-2 mile runs, as I was waiting until after my Ortho appointment to really kick it into gear, so I don't really feel prepared...but then again, they're 5k's.  I now how, and can run a 5k, so really, there's no excuses.  We'll see what I decide.  This Saturday's run will be a good gauge!

Friday, May 11, 2012

Friday Five...

Just popping on quick to share some Friday Fav's!
  • Here is a wonderful, lowfat rice krispie treat recipe! Really good! Check it out!
  • On September 8th I am doing this...if you live in the MN, you should join us!
  • I am loving this blog right now...she has motivated me to try and do something...more on that later!
  • This video brightened my week!  Read up on the story...it's a good!
  • My sister made a version of these cute favors for my little cousins party...I made the cookies this week for a non-healthy camping treat....they fricken rock!  I improvised a bit myself so maybe a recipe further on down the road.


Thursday, May 10, 2012

I'm off to bed...

So I can wake up in the morning, put in a few hours at work, and then hit the road for a girls camping weekend!  Bags are packed, food is planned, and I need to go brush my teeth so I can hit the sack!  Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Knees deep in Journals

I am fully immersed in school work right now.  My course does not finish till June 19th and I had every intention of procrastinating but my teacher had other plans and it totally snuck up on me!  Last Sunday when I went to go dig into my homework, I realized our assignment was about 10 pages of our 25 page paper.  And the remaining assignments all build upon that.  So you, there ya go.  Nothing like getting thrown into a research paper.  But really, it's worked out to my benefit.  I have some of the hardest parts done and can really just build it up from here.  In the end, I know I will be happy, but for now, I am swamped!  Not only with school, but work too...and that's another story, for another day.  But enough about that crap!

Want the low down:

Today marks two weeks no meat.  None at all.

And maybe three or four weeks no soda.

And I am down 9 pounds from Valentine's day.  Slow and steady peeps!  (insert: I will be doing this my whole life!)

I ran a mile tonight after dinner just because I had the urge...but I am taking it slow because next Wednesday I am seeing an Orthopedic doctor about my planters fasciitis (self diagnosed that is!).  We'll see what the professional has to say.  Until I know, I have been shredding away!

I go to Alaska in 2 weeks and 5 days....I CAN NOT WAIT!

I am stoked for a girls camping weekend this weekend!

And maybe a 5k in Alaska!?!?!?  We'll see what the Doc says but I think it would be cool to run a race while I am there.  How often will I get the chance to run a race in the AK?  And for a good cause...suicide prevention.  The race takes place June 2nd.  That will be one year and one day since my best friends sister took her life...so yeah, I would love to run in her memory.  And make some new memories...I'll keep you posted!

That's all for tonight folks!



Saturday, May 5, 2012

Lucy, you have some splainin to do!


So what a cliff hanger right?  That was fun!  Lol…

But yes, I have not eaten meat for over a week…in fact, I believe I have not eaten any meat derived products…ie. No one died for me to eat. 

But I will clarify, I know there is a circle of life, and I know we are carnivores.  I get that.  Prior to my no meat days, I tried hard to purchase as much grass fed and free range food as I could because honestly, humans eat too much meat and we process it in the most ridiculously inhumane ways ever.  We need to step back and simplify life a bit.  But since I can’t change the world in a day, I figured I would do the next best thing and change myself. 

And here’s the thing, I am not against eating meat, although I hope to reap the benefits of a lower BMI, Lower Cholesterol, and (gasp) less adult acne!  And I may incorporate meat once or twice a week, BUT, I will make sure that it is the best meat processed in the most humane way that exists. 

In fact, Chaz and I have a Groupon for a Lobster dinner in two weeks so I will have to come to some terms by then!  I'm not perfect, and I don't need this to be perfect, but I want to make a difference, and do the best I can!  

So that's the story.  I'm not saying meats out for good...for now yes, but I think I will allow myself occasional days.  I just want to really be aware, and really focus my eating.