Goofs

This sums up our relationship.

Love this man. And our silly, silly ways.

AprilPhotoOfTheDay

One of my favorite bloggers @ meals & moves does this neat little photo challenge each month....and recaps them at the end of each month so I thought I'd try it out, just for fun...

And of course, because I love the camera feature on my phone.

A Light and Some Pasta

That was me walking my puppies last night...I absolutely LOVE living where we do. Our neighborhood is flanked by desert and one of my favorite things to do is walk along the edges, with my pups in tow. It makes me feel VERY lucky. But the real light was revealed today.

Back up to last night for a minute. I decided to rearrange my running schedule so that I could go out tonight and not run Saturday morning before a bridal shower I'm attending and to actually enjoy my whole Sunday off with nothing to do (except a short 5 miler). So I threw together a tasty pasta dinner, made with random crap I had in my kitchen. Kitchen sausage, wheat pasta, broccoli, a few shrimp, feta...and the kicker, red curry sauce. It was delish.

I set out this morning all alone, with some GU chomps, a drink and my iPod. I decided to run a simple loop around my house and smaller section of my neighborhood that is a total of 3.6 miles instead of my usual winding paths throughout the larger section of my neighborhood. I feared I would get bored. I did not. I actually appreciated the route...and of having one area that I kept my drink at to focus on as a next "goal" with each lap.

Neato.

So the light? It's that one at the end of the tunnel. 

I ran 13.1 today. I walked several times and I ran a slower pace than what I usually prefer to do with the guidance of my BFF Hal Higdon. He suggests running 30 to 90 sections slower than my estimated race pace. I didn't run THAT slow being that it is a shorter long run in the marathon training...

No pain. My body felt good. My lungs are still congested from my cold so I got winded faster than usual, but I was happy with my end result.

Well I better go get fancy for my big night out on the town! 

Love Bunny

My husband brought me my morning coffee in this...

Slightly creepy and weird, but it's from my childhood and holds a special place in my heart.

Does anyone else like to drink coffee from special mugs?

Thug Life

Nothing like some gangsta rap to get you going while on a run. My husband gets embarrassed when I sing out loud while running...I think he's just jealous of my skills. My currents favs:

Tyga - Rack City

Big Sean - Dance (A$$) Remix ft Nicki Minaj

Jay-Z & Kanye West - Niggas in Paris

I'm so so strange.

Raspberry Love

I've had a love affair with this color for quite some time...I've often found myself gravitating towards and purchasing various pieces of clothing and baubles in this lovely shade. Example, my sassy new jeans...

A little taste...

And of course....we can't forget the little guy who started this little obsession...

Oh UPS Man

I love the UPS man, especially because of his latest delivery. You see, I have been coveting something for a long time. Months and months and months.

And then, like magic, a special deal popped up on it. And I knew it was meant to be mine.

I work hard, I deserve it. This is my Birthday/Christmas/Anniversary/Just Being Awesome gift to MYSELF. Yup, I bought myself a nice gift...a gift that will keep on giving. And I don't feel guilty one bit.

Mine.

My Favorite Things

Just a few things I have been loving...

My Kindle...and the option for free books.

  

My Christmas Watch from my Sweetheart.

MAC Fluidline...in a multitude of colors.

Superstar Shampoo.

My newest Blazer.

Yogurt Cherry Pretzels (highly addictive and delish)

 

I'm Super Awesome

Here's why I'm pumped up today...

1. Starbucks this morning. Nuff said. (spaz)
2. My first gel/shellac manicure is still perfect, one week later.
3. Christmas cards JUST got done last night....better late than never.
4. My first bottle of Infinium chillin in the fridge...

5. These 2 under my tree.

Annnnd, that's all I got. Happy Tuesday!

Because

There are no tricks. Run because you have to. Run because you love it. Run because you want to be fast. Run because you want to be skinny. Run to find some quiet time. Run to sweat. Run to eat. Run to hear your heart pound in your ears. Run because you're a runner. Run because you gotta keep the streak. Run because you don't know why the hell you're running. Run because you fought with your partner. Run because your job is shitty. Run because you got no money. Run for the sunrise. Run for a race. Run because it's impossible. Run because it's easy. Run instead of doing the laundry. Run instead of watching TV. Run because no one else understands. Run because the cool kids do it. Run because you're tired of talking. Run for numbers. Run for feel. Run to prove something. Run because it f***ing hurts. Or don't run. If you got something better to do.

- Jeff Edmonds The Logic of Long Distance

Wonderful Weekend

I had a WHOLE weekend off! It was amazzzzzing! I even told Wade last night how shocked I was that I received no phone calls and only a handful of manageable emails. Win for me.

Highlights:

1. Friday Night - NOTHING. After an entire week of events, I couldn't wait to get home and sit on my ass. Achieved.
2. Christmas Shopping. We had one more person to buy for and while at the mall, we picked a name off the Christmas Angel tree. 10 year Bernice is going to have a Merry Christmas...
3. Dinner out....a few delicious beers might have been enjoyed as well.
4. 2 lunch dates with my favorite person.
5. A morning of ARR's Desert Classic...and not feeling a bit bad about dropping out of the 30k. Awesome last minute decision...doing it relay style with my favorite running partner. It was pretty rough though, a ton of hills...a small race so most miles were spent alone, and of course, feeling the last bits of this awful cold. But I had SO much fun with this talented group of people I have been spending so much time with.

6. Homemade Zuppa Toscana soup, Sauvignon Blanc, a fire crackling...all while watching Shawshank Redemption.

Our family does VERY minimal gifts (only the kiddos on Wade's side and we draw a name on my side) which I love. As I grow older, I have realized that Christmas has nothing to do with malls, gifts, spending excessive amounts of money for one day of gifting.....when being an adult, I can buy things for myself that I need or want. Instead, we focus on food, drinks, and just being with each other. Another reason it's my favorite Holiday of the year.

Happy.Lucky.Blessed.

Heaven in a Glass

I was grumpy this morning. My girlfriend even noticed my funk via Instant Messenger...am I that obvious when grouchy?

She told me to "build a bridge and get over it".

I kinda agreed.

So I put on my big girl pants and drove my ass to the Happiest Place on Earth.

In my opinion anyway. I was instantly un-grumpy and spent my morning/afternoon surrounding myself in what I love best. Makeup.

The hubs met me afterwards for Happy Hour....

Oh yes, yes I did and was DEE-licious. And you better believe I put that shit in My Fitness Pal, thankyouverymuch Erin.

Not a bad end to my not so awesome start of a day. :)

Reminder

I know I beat myself up a little bit after my weekend submerged in beer and lack of exercise. Yesterday I felt fat and sluggish and like I sucked really really bad. 

But today, I started out the day my favorite way. Running outside, with Wade. We live in a lovely and physically active community that runs along a desert preserve....almost every morning hot air balloons are  rising up over the cactus as we skip our way along the pavement.

I ran 6 awesome miles. No knee pain....less sweat than usual (hallelujah weather Goddess) and I felt great.

Full of gratitude. 

Appreciative of MY body. My lungs, my legs, my feet, my core. I may not be fast but dammit, I can run.

And THIS is why I run.

Well Hello Fall

Being up North at out lovely little cabin/home away from home has really launched me into full on Autumn Mode....I woke up to 50 degree weather and even had to bust out my Uggs to enjoy my cup-o-joe this am.

 
 I even removed my MUCH loved bright pink summer polish and went for what I call "Pumpkin"...

This has me thinking about a list of Fall Items that I NEED  -  list of coveted items coming soon.

We are off to Octoberfest....small town style. I'll try to be a ninja and capture some nice little photos...

Classy.

12 oz. curls

I am sooooo exhausted from my workout today...

Cheers to healthy living, it's rad.

Meet Sadie

Aka Mini Shepard, Midget Dog, Best DF (dogfriend), Smalls, Teeny, Mini....

How was my pace Mom?

 
I know, I'm a total lunatic. 

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)