Tuesday April 29, 2014 -- Catching Up & Shakeology

I've not done anything in recent days to prepare for my half marathon in June.

There's 45 days between me and the Yellowstone Half Marathon.

Somehow, I'm thinking it's not going to end very well.

Here's hoping I don't die or need medical assistance while running. I'd rather die then have to have them bring out medics. Can you imagine the shame?

I'll still be running solo for this event. My sister tried to hook me up with a runner in Rexburg. I've not heard back from said runner. Which is fine. I'm thinking, though, that I'll not be seeing much of my sister and her husband. It seems highly unlikely that they'd want to:

1. Drive out to Yellowstone (an hour and a half in, an hour and a half back -- three hours driving)
2. Wait around for four hours while I huff, and puff, and nearly die of oxygen deprivation
3. Do 1 and 2 with a 20-month old and a newborn baby in June (sometimes there's still snow in Yellowstone at the time we'll be there) 

My sister loves me but I don't think she loves me that much. 

There's been something else on my mind lately, too. Namely, my weight. I'm house sitting for one of my other sisters and she has a scale (why I don't own one, I don't know). I got on it and was staggered by my weight.

227.

That's the heaviest I've ever been. 

And it's freaking me out.

When I get paid on Friday, I'll be purchasing a membership for Beach Body and getting my 21-Day Fix. My friend, Leigh Anna, has done two rounds with the Fix and she's lost 24-inches and 14-lbs. You workout 30-minutes daily, eat portion size meals and have a Shakeology shake once a day. She has a toddler, works full-time and has a long-ish commute. She's still got time for this program.

What I'm most excited about is the Shakeology. 

It's like juicing but it's powdered. Check out their video: 

(Courtesy of YouTube)

My friend says she has more energy, her skin is totally clear (with a glow!), her hair loss is virtually gone (she developed Hashimoto's disease after giving birth), her nails are growing faster and her headaches are gone.

Shakeology has proteins, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, adaptogen herbs, pre- and pro-biotics, fiber, and digestive enzymes. It has everything you'd get in juicing and then some. And it doesn't go bad because it's powdered so you're not having to throw out rotten produce or go to the store every other day just to keep fresh fruits and veggies in the house. 

If you go the route Leigh Anna went, you'll be a Beach Body coach. 

(Courtesy of Leigh Anna's FB page)

$123.77 monthly for one meal each day. That averages to $4.13 each shake. If I were to get a cheap $3.99 (with tax it's about $4.33) meal at Burger King or McDonalds, I'd be spending more. 

The Chocolate and Greenberry shakes have a whey protein while the Tropical Strawberry and Vegan Chocolate have plant-based proteins from brown rice, peas, and other sources. Leigh Anna likes chocolate, so that's the one I'll start with. 

Also, if anyone wants to jump on the Hippie-Train with me . . . Shakeology's FAQs page is quoted saying the following: 

"While we do not certify Shakeology as non-GMO, special care has been taken to formulate Shakeology to exclude GMO ingredients and we require certifications and statements from the suppliers that the ingredients do not contain GMO materials. We are evaluating the possibility of certifying the product as non-GMO in the future."

The same is true for organics. 

More energy, better ingredients, reasonable prices, and exercise DVDs to boot!

What's not to love?

Cheers!
LC

Saturday April 19 & Sunday April 20, 2014 -- Missed/Missed

Today was quite a long day!

I started the morning around 6:15AM. I showered, dressed, and crashed again after I was ready for the morning. Jess woke up around 7AM and the baby woke up shortly after that. LJ was grumpy from the moment she woke up and stayed that way pretty much the entire day. It didn't help that she had a rough night of waking up every few hours. Also, her stuffed up and runny nose didn't help matters.

Jess, LJ, and I headed to breakfast at 8AM as an activity for the apartment complex. They didn't start serving food until closer to 9AM, which was really irritating for Jess since we could have stayed in the warm apartment and dealt better with a grumpy toddler on familiar ground. Brett joined us for breakfast (each morning I was there, he'd gone into school to practice his music for a few hours every morning. He usually left around 6AM) and egg hunting. LJ got a few and was happier when she was left to run around.

At around 9:45 we headed back to the house, grabbed my luggage, and ate a little bit more (breakfast wasn't as filling as we all  thought it would be). We raced to their church for the 10AM egg hunt. LJ got about 9 eggs, I think, in that hunt. It was over and done with in under 20 minutes so we headed back to the apartment for a brief brake before I had to catch the shuttle.

At 10:45, we made our way to the shuttle. I said goodbye, hugged everyone and got on the bus when it showed up at 11. I sat in my chair and my eyes started watering as we pulled away from the curb. At least I didn't embarrass myself like the last few times I'd left. Full-blown sobbing doesn't do well for the beginnings of a long journey.

On my way to Salt Lake City, I listened to a book-on-tape by Jillian Michaels called Unlimited. In it, she talks about how everyone has unlimited potential and everyone is entitled to happiness. Lots of great quotes and ideas. It almost made me tear up a few times, too.

(courtesy of Google image search)

I listened for 4 1/2 hours on the shuttle. I had to go through security at the airport and then I was right back on my iPod for another 4 1/2 hours, sitting at the airport, waiting for my flight. I'm currently on chapter 8, or so, and it's the furthest I've ever gotten in her book. I highly, highly recommend everyone to read/listen to her. I'm going to be doing a lot of re-listening and I think I'll buy the book just so I can highlight it. I'm quite a nerd, that way, I suppose.

For the first time in my life, I was boarded when they called for first class. I was in section 1 and they called that at the same time they called first class. As I boarded I realized my "emergency seat" was actually right where one of the doors was. As the rest of the plane finished boarding, no one was sitting next to me. My grin kept getting bigger and bigger... I was thinking I wouldn't have to sit with anyone poking me or prodding me, or farting next to me. And you know what? No one did sit next to me. I had the entire row to myself and I didn't have any seats in front of me. I stretched my legs out and let out the breath I was holding.

For the rest of the short flight, I started watching Thor: The Dark World on my Kindle. I didn't even get halfway through the movie before we were landing in the Sea-Tac airport. I was one of the first people off the plane, too. Another new and strange experience for me. As I hauled my behind through the escalators and shuttle to the main terminal, I kept thinking to myself, "this is too easy, this was way too good to be true."

It turns out I was right.

Before I left the secured zone, I made sure I had my bags, phone, and wallet. Except I was missing one.

I tore through my purse, patted down my pockets... No wallet. I turned around and raced back the way I had. I called my ride, Jolene, and told her I had left my phone on the plane and had to go back to my terminal. She said "no worries" and told me to take my time. She was enjoying a coffee while she waited by the baggage claim.

Can I just say this? I haven't had anyone park and come and meet me for a very, very, very long time. It was super touching and I'm hoping to do it more for my friends when I pick them up instead of using the cellphone waiting lot. It's a lot more touching and you get to relax and converse without thinking about traffic for a few minutes.

Totally worth the $10.

Anyway!

I raced back through the shuttle, up the escalators, and to the terminal. The gate was closed but there were other gates opened so I ran to one of them. I told the attendant my problem and she smiled and said someone could help me. We walked over to my gate and the lady said she'd go look for it, since I'm not allowed back on the plane once everyone gets off or something like that. I said that was fine and decided I didn't need to lug my bag around anymore. I pulled the strap over my head and set it down on one of the chairs.

And my wallet was sitting right there.

Stupid wallet.

I have a love/hate relationship with this wallet. It's so well loved that it has formed to my butt check. No joke! This wallet is very comfortable sliding in and out of my pocket. Which makes it a slippery bugger when you're sitting for long periods of time. Like at an airport. Or on a shuttle. Or commuting. But it's so darn cute and so easy to carry that I still love it to pieces.

(courtesy of Google image search; isn't it adorable?! Mine's been well loved and isn't quite so bright green anymore. I've had it for more than three years though and I couldn't imagine not having it!)

I stopped the attendant before she could finish putting her code into the door and told her I was an idiot and it was right here. She smiled and shifted away from me, probably thinking I was a nut job. Which, by that point, I really was.

I made my way back to baggage claim without any crowds. I found my friend, told her my tale and we went to the parking garage.

The night ended with a BLT for me and a burger for Jolene when we picked up my car. I then forgot where I put my house keys for safe keeping. They ended up being in my trunk with my work clothes and laptop.

Oi.

The drive home was uneventful and I crashed. I slept through Easter Sunday. I didn't even think once about working out. I'll be able to get my workout in Monday, hopefully. As of Monday, there are 55 days before my half marathon on June 14, 28 days before my 10K on May 18, and 20 days before my 5K on May 10.

Again, I say, Oi.

I'm also going to start house sitting again this Tuesday for about 9 days. After I finish that, I have 4 days before I'm house sitting again, this time for over 2 weeks.

Can I get a triple Oi?

The only plus for my 2 week house sitting is she has a treadmill. So I'll not be without a means. I'll just have to have a will. Which is sometimes a lot harder than having a means.

I think this will all be a bit more real once I start collecting race shirts.

Cross your fingers?

Cheers!
LC

(Jess, Brett, and LJ doing an Easter egg hunt)

(LJ, sitting on her dad's lap, playing with the mirror while waiting for my shuttle)

(my substantial leg room on the flight home)

(my ghostly neighbors on the flight home)

Friday April 18, 2014 -- Missed

We went back to Idaho Falls today so Jess could visit her OB. I got to hear her baby's heart beat. It was quite amazing for me. I hadn't heard my first niece's heartbeat when she was in utero so this was something new for me. The baby kept kicking the doctor and hoping around. Jess says this is normal behavior for this baby.

After the appointment we went to WinCo and grabbed some groceries. After we went home, Jess and Brett put LJ down for a nap. Then we had a nap, too. After, Jess and I went out to get a pedicure for our birthday present. When we got back, we dyed Easter eggs.

No workouts again. I doubt there'll be any before I go home to Washington.

Cheers!
LC

(mine are the bottom piggies, Jess' are the top)

(marbled eggs courtesy of a Pinterest Pin by Jess)

(Lovely)

Wednesday April 16, 2014 -- Missed

Today was a long day!

I got off work at 7am and drove myself to the airport shuttle. The shuttle left on time at 7:35. We ran into traffic and were a little late to the airport. It was done though. I got through security in about 20 minutes and made it to my gate before they started boarding.

The flight from Seattle to Salt Lake City was actually pretty good. Despite the late departure we arrived exactly on time.

The shuttle ride from SLC to Rexburg was peaceful. There was me, the driver, and one more lady the entire ride from the airport. I finished the movie I started on the plane and then, finally, I took a nap.

I arrived at the Hart building on the BYU-I campus. My brother-in-law said he and my sister were in the Hart pool. I popped in and waved. My sister smiled and then hit her husband over the head with a wake board.

The finished up their swim and then we all headed back to the apartment and had dinner.

It's great to see my sister, her husband, and my niece. :-)

Cheers!
LC

(waiting on the tarmac in Sea-Tac)

(Twins reunited at last!)

(my niece is super cute)

(just chillin' in her crib. It's her favorite play toy. Weirdo. She must take after me.)

Thursday April 17, 2014 -- Missed

We had a birthday brunch at Dennys in Idaho Falls. Then we went to a park and LJ played on the ridiculous slide. We came back to Rexburg and had kabobs for dinner. We watched a new (for me, anyway) comedy called Studio C. It was hilarious and I will definitely be watching it when I come back to Washington.

Yes, I missed another workout. I've been exhausted ever since I got to Idaho. The elevation change is a lot harder to deal with than I was expecting and my lungs aren't up for the challenge of a workout just yet.

Cheers!

LC

Tuesday April 15, 2014 -- Rest

I was running around doing crazy things today and was unable to workout. I was barely able to sleep -- I went to bed at 7:30AM and was then woken up at around 2PM. I did some laundry and some errands. I never did fall back to sleep. By the time I was getting ready to change my clothing to workout gear, my roommate came home and brought a guest with her. I hate working out with other people in the house -- it just seems really weird to me. By that time, I couldn't go outside because it was getting dark.

I'm making excuses but I'll totally make it up in the days to come.

Cheers!
LC

Monday April 14, 2014 -- Treadmill, Pyramid

I was able to get a workout in today! I used my pyramid workout but added inclines to each new segment. I was super sweaty after I was done but it was amazing!

		Action	Incline	Speed
00:00	04:00	Warm Up	0.0	2/3
04:00	05:00	Push	0.5	4
05:00	06:00	Recover	1.0	3
06:00	08:00	Push	1.5	4
08:00	09:00	Recover	2.0	3
09:00	12:00	Push	2.5	4
12:00	13:00	Recover	3.0	3
13:00	17:00	Push	3.5	4
17:00	18:00	Recover	3.0	3
18:00	21:00	Push	2.5	4
21:00	22:00	Recover	2.0	3
22:00	24:00	Push	1.5	4
24:00	25:00	Recover	1.0	3
25:00	26:00	Push	0.5	4
26:00	30:00	Cool Down	0.0	3/2

I'm not entirely sure where I originally found the basic format for this run. I think it was in a Cosmo magazine or something. Or FitSugar. I modified it from the original workout for the speeds (this chunky monkey can't do 5MPH for four minutes! ... yet!) and I added the inclines. I've also done it where I sprint for the last 30 seconds on the "push" segments. That's a pretty good feeling. 

The run is just over 1.5 miles.

Cheers!

LC

Sunday, April 13, 2014

I did it! I finally worked out!

This morning, my roommate wanted to know if I'd like to go for a walk with her. I thought "why not?" and so off we went, down the road. We stopped in downtown for some lunch. The Local Scoop was closed a few months ago because they went out of business. There's a lot of local/small businesses all across the country who have to close, our town wasn't any different. The Local Scoop was able to be re-opened, under new management. At the time of this post, they've only been re-opened for 9 days.

It shows.

The food was alright. The service was horrible. The waitresses were nice enough. When we saw them. There didn't seem to be any logic to the seating. I don't know if the tables were numbered or if there were specific areas for the waitresses . . . it just seemed like chaos.

We were greeted when we entered and were told to sit where ever. We sat in the corner. I had a great vantage point to view all of the floor. We sat for 15 minutes before we were approached and asked if we'd been helped. No, we said. She said she'd drop off some menus and be back. She did and we saw here again about two minutes later, asking if we'd decided. Considering we'd just gotten our menus, no, we weren't ready. She left and came back again, this time about ten minutes later. We ordered and waited about 15 minutes for our sandwiches. As we waited, I noticed a few things.

1. A little old lady came in, stood around, found a seat, and waited about ten minutes before walking out. She wasn't acknowledge, not even once.
2. A couple and their small child came in, sat down, and were ignored for longer than the little old lady. Eventually, after the waitress kept passing by their table, they got up and left. 
3. We never had refills on our waters.

When the food arrived, the fries were hot and the sandwiches looked good. Both my roommate and I thought they were both "alright" but not really worth $8 each. We both could have made our sandwiches at home. I thought the cranberry cream cheese spread on my sandwich tasted like it had come straight from a jar -- not sweet, not tart, and kind of water-y. My roommate thought her BLT lacked any kick and wasn't really anything to write home about.

We were visited by the new general manager. We let him know our food concerns but weren't quick enough to tell him about our service concerns. Another waitress took our money. While I was waiting for her to finish up another transaction, she conspiratorially confided that she wasn't comfortable using the iPad and credit card scanner and really hoped I had cash to pay with. I did. She was a little bit better with the cash drawer than with the iPad. 

All in all, I wish them well and will likely come back and visit later in the summer. It was a good walk and a nice stop in the middle.

After we got home, I went to bed for the day. I woke up at 6:50 PM and did a rolling hills treadmill workout. I sweated like a pig and then hopped in the shower. My roomie had a guy over and made dinner. They watched a movie while I got ready for work and ate a burrito. Nommers!

I'm super excited for tomorrow -- I love being back home! I'm hoping I'll get this blanket thing figured out. Whenever the seasons change, I have to figure out a new layering combination so I'm not too hot while I sleep during the day. If I sleep hot, I have nightmares and wake up and can't get back to sleep. It's annoying, frustrating, and exhausting. Though sometimes the nightmares give me good ideas about potential books I could one day write. Silver lining, right?

Cheers!
LC

April 10 - April 12 -- Missed

Yes, yes, yes... I've missed all of my workouts. I'll deal with it.

I finished house sitting and I've got more scheduled for May. This next house actually has a treadmill so I can force myself to workout instead of relying on the weather. No matter what, I'll have no excuse to not workout.

On Thursday I went with two of my sisters and my mother out for Sushi. We were celebrating my little sister's and my birthday (her's is on 4/12, mine on 4/17). She was going to be busy on her birthday and so was I so we decided it'd be easiest for all involved if we just met up early and had lunch. It was good, I suppose. It was great to see my mom and sisters.

Cheers!
LC

Tuesday April 9, 2014 -- Missed

I'm still on the trend of not doing anything... I'm not liking this! Bad, bad, bad!

On a happier note, I got my new phone.

Shiny!

It's a Virgin Mobile Supreme and I love it, so far. With tax, it was $217 and change. My sister and her husband have had the same phone since November. They got a good deal for Black Friday and I missed it. So I waited. And waited. And did some more waiting... five months later, I've got my phone! I can't wait to take pictures with it! It has a flash. My last phone did not have a flash, or options to change the ISO, or options to increase/decrease saturation or contrast.

I'm going to have so much fun.

It also has mass amounts more memory than my last phone. I'm able to have all my favorite apps and also add some ones I've been ogling for a while, like MapMyRun. I've been looking for a good HIIT timer for Android but I'm not finding one I like (that's also free. I'm cheap that way). Any suggestions?

MapMyFitness has an article about running lingo I thought was interesting (like fartleked, pronation, bandit, and splits). Check it out!

No worries! I'll get back to running real soon.

Cheers!
LC

Sunday & Monday, April 6 & 7, 2014 -- Missed, Missed!

I didn't do any workouts Sunday or Monday. I'm feeling way too tired and not really into it. I did measure the distance down the road to see where 1 and 2 miles are. That's progress, right?

I did clean stalls and sweep the barn both days. That's more cardio then I would have gotten otherwise.

One of my friends turned me onto a product called Shakeology. If you didn't know, I was able to do juicing at the beginning of this year. I loved it! I loved how much energy I had, I loved how I was losing the weight, I loved how my skin looked. It was just amazing . . . except for the price! I couldn't afford to do it on a full time (or even part time) basis -- my budget isn't built that way in the winter. Maybe in the summer when we have farmers markets popping up left and right it'll be cheaper. But for now, I've been feeling lack-luster, tired, and old.

Leigh Anna doesn't endorse anything. She's super conscious of her health and how things impact it. She's lucky to live in California -- farmers markets everywhere! She did a 21 day challenge and was super surprised by the results. She lost 18 inches and 7.1 lbs! She's eating healthy and working out 30 minutes daily. The Shakeology gives her an energy boost and that's why she loves it. It's also doesn't have any chemicals in it. It's all either fruit, vegetables, seeds, mushrooms, or herbs. Absolutely amazing! She said she sometimes feels like she's ready to bounce of the walls. I'm assuming that's when she mixes her powder with coffee, if you know what I mean. She's happy with her product and starting her "second" round with the 21 day challenge.

I'm really thinking about joining her.

The price isn't too bad, either. From what she's saying, I could have my first-time purchase cost about $160. With that, you're getting a three workout DVDs, a portion-control system of color-coded containers and your Shakeology Shaker (that way you "never eat too much and you're never hungry. . . . if it fits, you can eat it!"), guide and workout calendar, and an eating plan. After the first month, it's about $115 (maybe a bit more with taxes/shipping). That's averaging about $3.83 per shake. For meal, that's a decent price -- about $27 per week, $54 every two weeks.

The reason Shakeology excites me is because I am getting my vitamins, nutrients, and everything I need in one shake. No pills, no juicing, no measuring. Like I said, I miss my natural high from my juicing. I want it back for a lesser cost.

Cheers!
LC

Saturday, April 5, 2014 -- Missed

House sitting throws things off. I'm still trying to decide when would be a good time to get my workout in. Needless to say, I didn't have a chance to do that today.

The morning started with me feeding the dog and horses and turning them out. After I cleaned the stalls I took a shower. Then I went into town and met up with a group of people from high school. We're planning out ten-year reunion. I can't believe it's been that long! June 27, 2015 is the day we set. We're going to have a picnic, time-capsule dig, and then a pub-crawl. I think it'll go pretty smoothly. I've got to write up a document with all 316 names for the graduates of 2005. Then we get to play private detective and track them all down. Should be an interesting side project.

After the reunion meeting, I dropped a few things off at my apartment. Then it was back to the house. I took a four-hour nap and brought the horses back in. It was wet and rainy and cold. I was able to use my rain jacket I bought for running for the first time. It works pretty slick! 

I crawled back to bed and tossed and turned and maybe fell asleep. I got up, showered, and fed the dog. I scrounged in the fridge for nourishment and headed to work. 

Now here I sit for ten hours. I think I need to go grocery shopping when I get done with the horses in the morning. I'm hoping I will be able to restart my workout routine on Monday. Get off work; feed animals/clean stalls; sleep; feed animals/clean stalls; head off to the apartment and catch a 30 minute treadmill workout; shower and head to work.

Cross your fingers!

Cheers!

LC

Friday April 5, 2014 -- Rest

I started the day packing. I've got a week of house sitting to do! I love house sitting. Its like a mini-vacation with all the animals I've always wanted -- horses, cats, dogs... I like to play pretend, I suppose.

So I packed and drove out to the house. I headed out and fed horses. As I write this section, I'm waiting for them to finish their breakfast before I turn them out to pasture for the day. One of the barn cats is weaving through my legs. The dog is sniffing about, wondering when I will put my phone down and play with him (soon, I promise!).

Love, love, love it!

--

I didn't get a chance to hike today. I spent my day running around like a chicken without a head. I got in a good chat with one of my sisters (we haven't seen each other for about two weeks!) and I ran some errands.

Cheers!
LC

Thursday, April 3, 2014 -- Treadmill; Rolling Hills

Today was a bit difficult. I didn't want to do anything workout-wise.

I woke up early and made breakfast. We had some homemade bread that needed eaten so I cut it up and did french toast. I tried something new by trying to bake it in the oven. I had wanted it to soak for longer in the egg mix but my roomie woke up, so that idea was scratched. I liked that it turned crunchy but I didn't like the smell of it. The taste was alright.

Along with the failed toast I made oatmeal. Only I used the quick oats. I haven't eaten them in a while (I have been doing steel-cut oats for almost 4 years now-- Love them!!) And was short on time, so what the heck, right?

Wrong!

So wrong.

I'm so sad to think this is what we actually ate for breakfast when I was growing up. Quick oats are only good for no-bake cookies, in my opinion. Which leads to my next dilemma -- PCT breakfasts. Mostly, people take instant oatmeal with them since its light, pre-packaged, and quick to eat. I'm going to have to do some experimenting cause that ain't happening!

After the roomie left for work, I cleaned the kitchen, started the dish washer, did a load of laundry and took a nap.

After my nap I got a txt from my friend Nichole asking about dinner. We usually go over to each others houses ever Thursday for girl-time and a meal. Last week it was bean soup at my place, this week we were going to do Asian at her place. She said she had about 2 hours before she could meet up for grocery shopping. I said OK and then rolled over. . . Where I sat and stared at my treadmill for 5 minutes. I didn't want to do it but the weather outside was ick. So, 10 minutes later I got up, put some workout gear on, and did a routine called "rolling hills." I didn't do it right (during the high-intensity you're suppose to switch your incline and speed every 30 seconds, not every minute like what I did). Even though I did it wrong I still maxed my speed at four and did a max incline at ten.

Woot!

After 25 minutes, the torture ended. Five minutes for a cool-down, then a good shower.

I'm quite glad I procrastinated. And I'm quite glad I was able to get up and work out.

Cheers!
LC

Wednesday April 2, 2014 -- Rest... er, sort of...

Wednesday was another rest day.

I discovered House, M.D. was just added to Netflix. Needless to say, I spent quite a bit of time watching TV. In fact, I was up from Tuesday at 6PM to Wednesday at 8PM.

Yeah, I know.

That's 26 hours.

But it was so worth it!! So I went to bed and woke up early on Thursday morning.

Cheers!
LC

Running Tangent

I was looking up all the runs I thought would be interesting in July and here's a list I came up with. ;-)

• See Jane Run, Women's Half Marathon and 5K -- Seattle // Sunday, July 13
• Wildhorse Half Marathon -- Bellingham // Saturday, July 19
• AquaRun, 5K and 10K -- Lake Stevens // Saturday, July 26th
• The Whatcom Dream, 5K -- Bellingham // No dates yet (last year was July 27th)

I want to take August off and do a great deal of hiking and camping (even though I'm thinking most of the "good" spots will already be taken). 

Summer just got more exciting...

Cheers!

LC

Tuesday April 1, 2014 -- Jog

Woot woot! Today I totally kicked butt! I (mostly) jogged for 3 miles. I would say I only walked for a warm-up and to catch my breath before tackling a steep hill.

I ran two loops, each was 1.5 miles. I only had to tackle the huge hill once and the little hill once. Everything else was pretty flat with mild elevation changes.

I'm planning on just going for a walk tomorrow. I'm thinking I'll spend some time on my treadmill -- it's feeling neglected with all this sunshine. I'm also going to add in this new Facebook challenge I've been seeing pop up -- 30 push-ups daily for 30 days. Oh lawrdy! That's going to hurt...

Stretching is a definite must after jogging! My shoulders and back were feeling tight towards the end of my route. After I got home I did stretches for about 10 minutes. I didn't focus too much on my back (which I'm now regretting) but my legs feel amazing after a sleep and 15 hours later. Check out the stretches I did!

In other news, I've signed up for another run! I've also been contacted on Facebook by one of my high school friends who was interested in doing some runs with me. Yay running buddy!

Here's my summer running plans thus far: 

• Saturday May 10 -- Run for Good, 5K -- Arlington, WA
• Sunday May 18 -- Snohomish Women's Run, 10K -- Everett, WA
• Sunday May 25 -- Color Run, 5K -- Seattle, WA
• Saturday June 14 -- Yellowstone Half Marathon -- Yellowstone Park, WY

I'm most excited about my half marathon. That's a week after my twin sister's due date. She lives over in that general direction and I'll be staying in her town and I'm so excited to see my new niece or nephew (they never want to know the babies sex -- it leaves all the aunties rather frustrated with buying anxieties!).

If I enjoy the Color Run in Seattle, I'm thinking I may do the one in Tacoma in August 10th or maybe the Portland one on September 6th. I have another high school friend in Portland who showed some interest a few months back. Maybe she's still interested? I also don't have anything going on in July so maybe I'll see about doing a the Chuckanut Foot Race? This is the area where I took my last hike to and it's gorgeous and plenty shady for those hot July days.

Cheers!

LC

Monday March 31, 2014 -- Missed

Another missed day! Gah!

I was too tired when I got home this morning to go for a walk. I talked with my roomie and she suggested I just go to bed and she'd go for a walk with me when she got home sometime after 5 PM. I said OK and off to bed I went. I was in bed and sleeping after 8 AM. I woke up around noon to go to the bathroom and was blinded when I opened my cave door. Man! That light was bright!

After I finished, I went back to my room, laid down, and couldn't get back to sleep. I sat in bed, tossing and turning, with my face mask on, willing myself to fall asleep. I did this for about an hour. I decided after that, there's no point in trying to fight it. I thought about taking a walk but then decided against it, since I would be going with my roomie later. So, I read. I this eventually worked in making my eyes tired and so, four hours later, I was able to fall asleep.

I was woken by my alarm at 7:50 PM. The house lights were off so I knew my roommate wasn't home. I saw a coffee cup in the sink and a damp towel in the bathroom -- both signs she had been there earlier. Where was she?

I got in the shower and was almost done when she got home. She said she had forgotten to wake me up. She was so distracted and frazzled when she got home she took a shower and then went for a walk (instead of taking a walk and then taking a shower, the logical choice). She's started this new course at work and it's going to be, in her words, hell.

After I packed my lunch, I headed out. On my way to work, I hit a bunny. There's no way I could have avoided the collision -- an oncoming car and no shoulder. I was on time for work and was able to enjoy some of our wonderful end-of-March weather. The saying really is true: In like a lion, out like a lamb.

I got to work and did a mild cardio of cleaning our booth. It's not a 2.5 mile walk but its something. Tomorrow's the start of a new month and a clean slate.

Cheers!
LC