Back to Basics

I was a bad bad girl this weekend.

I ate like crap. I drank too much. Beer, vodka, pizza and a smorgasbord of German food were the highlights of my weekend "gone bad".

But I only feel a little bad about it. I'm a healthy eater 99% of the time. I like being healthy. I like the way I feel, I like the way my body responds to it, and I like the energy it gives me. I try not to make myself feel too bad about these types of slip-ups, I'm only human after all and I am a true believer in not depriving yourself of the foods you love....just always in moderation!

Friends go hand in hand with too many cocktails and bad food...we always revert back to acting 18 years old again....my Saturday night consisted of a Beer Pong Tournament, midnight swimming, lotsa laughs, the making of new memories and of course, I got to hang out with this silly guy...

"I Swear I'm Not Drunk"

Tomorrow is Monday. Back to Basics. Back to my routine. Back to the foods that fuel my body.

Hey....at least I ran 11 miles on Saturday, right?

My Favorite Things...

Currently in my rotation....

MAC Lipglass in Strange Potion

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle

BODYGLIDE (for the chub rub, so sexy!)

Frugalista Earrings from Forever21

Nike Miler Sunglasses

Hot Pink Nail Polish

My New Kicks - Brooks Trance 10's

Hot Pink Cold Drink Cup (filled with delish protein smoothies)

Beauty is Pain...Right?

There is nothing that is more annoying than when people say "at least it's a dry heat". Ya, we have this lil thing called Monsoon Season here in beautiful Phoenix. It was HUMID and HOT out today and has been pretty much everyday for the last few weeks. Let's add in some thick hot air to that 193* heat and you have pure evil. My only saving grace is that I live in the North part of the Valley...higher elevation = slightly cooler temps. I guess I should be happy we have had an unseasonably "cooler" summer than we usually do...I mean, the high is only 106* today. ;) I had a 5 mile run this morning and as I suspected they would be, my legs were sore from the gym on Tuesday and my track workout and hike on Wednesday. I'm having a hard time finding a way to get my strength training in at the gym without getting so sore that it affects my runs for the week, I felt like I had sandbags tied to my feet this morning. It sucked but I got through it and as usual, felt happy and satisfied when I was done.

Kill Me.

Today is going to be a gym day as well. I've always struggled with "a plan" at the gym. Most people tell you to work out certain groups on certain days, blah blah blah....and for me, that just doesn't work. I prefer an all over regime to hit everything each time, and to complete it 2-3 days a week. I did a little research online on exercises specific to people who run, and I came up with something that I think is going to work out for me and my goals, and hopefully I won't get bored with to fast!  At the advice of my SIL (who won her first Figure Competition last year and is basically a badass in all areas of her life) I'm going to refrain from using weights on my legs in an attempt to lean them out a bit and use body weight instead. Ugh, jump squats here I come!

Yup, I think I'll listen to her...

So yeah, my legs hurt today and they'll hurt tomorrow too....but it's a good pain, right?

You're training in the summer?!

I've been following a training plan for this upcoming race in Cali. It's a combo of Hal Higdon's training plan with a bit of my own twist. I used his Novice Plan for the Rock N Roll last January (it was my first race) and I really liked the idea of having someone tell me what to do. I felt like I HAD to go out and do that run, and crossing it off on the little paper of my fridge gave me a sense of accomplishment. I didn't like that my longest run was only 10 miles prior to running the actual race. It left me feeling a little anxious on race day and I think I would have had a better finish time if I would have had a better grasp of how I would feel come mile 12. With that being said, I'm proud of how far I've come since I first starting running on a consistent basis a little less than a year ago.

Rock N Roll Phoenix - January 2011 (Me and Hubs)

I have 3 long runs left before we head over to San Diego, an 11 miler and two 12's. I feel good and ready, and the numbers don't scare me like they did the first go round. Since my first half, I have done a couple 5k's and a 15k so "practice" my racing skills and because quite frankly, I love it. I've mixed in some hills (running in AZ is gonna be different than San Diego I'm guessing!) some sprints, some tempo runs and I've upped my strength and cross training and try to mix in yoga when I can get to class.

Everyone says I'm crazy for training for a half in the summer in Arizona. Some mornings I agree with them. At first I thought I would be spending more time on the treadmill in my gym, which I absolutely HATE doing, but I think I've only run about 4-5 times in the past few months inside. I just wake up early, sweat my ass off and then jump in my pool! I've got 25 scheduled miles for the week...and I might do a couple easy ones on Sunday for recovery after my long run. My whole point of training for a race in August was to prove it to MYSELF that I could do it. To do something challenging, and hard. I have the support of Wade (husband) and my good friend and neighbor, K who is running with me as well. I like to think we've all bonded over it and I look forward to our long runs on the weekend followed by iced coffees at the local shop down the road. My best bud inspired me to try this whole running thing out after she did her first half last year, and if it weren't for her, I would have NEVER tried. So ya, she's pretty rad for that.

Bandido's 15K - March 2011 (Me and K-Dawg)

Welp...that's where I'm at today. My next effort is going to be to take more photos, cuz ya know, everyone likes photos. 

First. Post. Ever

On occasion, I popped over here to this "blog" of mine (if you can even call it that yet) and pondered to myself if I should actually take the first step and write something. 

Just something. 

But I always hit the little red X in the top corner and go along with my day. I ask myself all these questions:

"WHAT am I going to write about"

"WHO will possibly read it...my Mom or BFF probably won't even think I'm cool or funny, or informative"

"WHEN...do I have the time"

But in the end it doesn't really matter....who cares if no one reads it, or if people think I'm dumb or boring...this my own little space in my own crazy mind. I follow several blogs religiously, daily. They make me laugh and giggle about random rants or funny pictures. I learn new things everyday. I gather recipes and occasionally leave a comment cheering my "friends" along anonymously. These people have INSPIRED me to capture my life in more than just my eyes. To hold myself accountable in what I eat, how I treat my body. And most important, to continue to run. And to run faster and harder. And that why I am taking my first step.

I'm so cool.