Being Good

So it is Tuesday and I have been good and have been to the gym the last 2 days in.a.row!! Yes. I know this may be shocking but I'm totally taking this losing weight thing serious this time around.

Sunday, I went to the gym after hanging out with Laura all day and got 5 miles in while watching the Steelers lose to those stupid birds in the second half. I was hopefull and cheering on the TM and then was sad and pouty after while I was stretching. I was hoping for a long run of 10 miles this weekend, but 5 was all I had in me. I think I need to work on slowly ramping up my mileage b/c the last thing I need is to get hurt and then I really will get plump!

Monday, I had a lightning last GPSA meeting and ate dinner while I was there. I had time to ride the bus home and try on my new Aspaeris compression shorts and my new Columbia jacket while I was getting ready for my 8:10 TRX class. I decided that these shorts are amazing and take high school volleyball spandex to a whole new level! I didn't think I could pull off just the tight-y shorts, so I threw some capris on over them and called it good. I went and worked it out for an hour and had jello arms and legs to show for it when I was done.

Work out 2 days in a row? Check!

Tonight I'm planning on going to Halley's Ab Blast and then pounding out another 5 miles for the Pile on the Miles challenge. I didn't win any prizes last week but I'm still hopeful and I got my 5 miles in for the week already to qualify me. Anything over that I'm calling a bonus. I'm excited for the HBBC to get started up here soon so I can count my TRX and Abs classes too. Either way, I'm well on my way to turning this thing around.


Have you signed up for HBBC? It's on my left side bar if you're still interested. It's gonna be a lot of fun!! :)

Back to Reality

 

No... This is not in reference to Eminem's 8 mile song, but that's good to work out to.

The title is in reference to me getting back on the workout train. After my half in Spokane in early October, I pretty much took a break from working out because I had been training for the half distance since May. That break turned into me eating a lot of crap and gaining 10 lbs!!! It's amazing how hard and long it takes to work the weight off but how it just flies back to you!

With that in mind, I signed up for the Pile on the Miles challenge that Monica @ Run Eat Repeat is hosting. All you have to do is get at least 5 miles in per week to qualify for the weekly drawing of the prizes. The challenge runs the month of November and since the month started on a Tuesday and your totals have to be posted on the spreadsheet by Friday at 8am, I got my 5 miles in Tuesday night. I ended up doing a BOSU Abs Blast class with the lovely Halley before that. So November started off well.

Last night after group meeting (about 8 or so), I went to the gym to get in some more miles. I have decided that over the winter I want to get faster and do better for a half I have planned in March in Lewiston (about 40 mins south). I did a speed workout and did intervals at a 8:34 pace on and off for 4 mins and then slowed down to a 9:14 pace for 4 mins. My legs were toast and I only got in 2 miles but I'm on my way now. Also, I wore my new shirt that I got in the mail Wed. from 26.2 apparel. I got the plain black and pink one. It is SOOO soft that I swear that it is made out of unicorn hair! I also got a 30% discount from a code I got from SkinnyRunner.

Other shopping I have done lately is get a pair of Aspaeris compression shorts in black b/c they had a code for 50% off on their facebook page! I'm excited to get them and try them out. I also bought a new coat b/c the one I'm rocking I've had for about 3 years now and was a genius and for white sleeves and aren't really white anymore. The new one is a Columbia Whirlibird Interchange parka in black plaid! Bring on the rain and dirt!! I'm super excited to get this baby supposedly on Monday!! :D


Next up for the month is the Holiday Booty Buster Challenge hosted by Amanda @ Run to the Finish. This challenge is longer going from Nov. 19 - Jan. 3. This way it covers all of the holiday time. You can run, lift weights, yoga, pretty much anything to stay active and log your points according to the activity done. There are prizes for this as well. There is still time, so go sign up and join the challenge with me!! :)

                                                           

In addition to getting back to the sweat machine, I have been doing better about eating healthy and tracking what I eat. I have found if I write down what I've eaten I'm more accountable and don't reach for the bad stuff as often. I've started using the 'Calorie Counter' app on my phone that was free for you iPhone users. I still have my notebook to track my Weight Watchers PointsPlus points but haven't been as diligent with that. I will get on it.

As well as the healthy train, sadly the Saturday Farmers' market has ended. I've vowed to spend the time I spent at the market either running or focusing on research. I need to work harder on getting all of my reading/writing/ research done so I can get done. I have applied to one Post Doc position and I will be attending the American Chemical Society meeting in San Diego from March 25-29 in 2012. So, if any of you out there live close to San Diego, I'd love to meet you while I'm there!! I've never been to Cali before and I'm excited to see what San Diego has to offer. If you have any city tips or spots to hit, please let me know!

Ok. I need to finish things up for the day b/c Erin and I are having a healthy pamper party for ourselves. This includes getting our nails done, possibly froyo and Subway for dinner. I'm not sure if I'm going to get my toes done b/c they are a mess and I have hairy legs (TMI, too bad! :)) but I'm definitely getting my fingers done. I'm going to try the new Shellack polish that is guaranteed for 14 days because it's supposedly resistant to the chemicals I work with. We will see and I will show you the results!

Have a great weekend! Good luck to all of the racers on both coasts!!


What are you up to this weekend?

Anyone that would like me to try their running apparel or products, especially for ladies of the bustier variety, please contact me and I'd be more than glad to help you out! :)

Furry Children Friday

The last few weeks have been a rough one for my dog Heif. He's developed this weird skin issue and it's pretty much all over his body. Last Wed. I took him to the vet to get his ears flushed b/c he had an infection in them and we found this crusty stuff all over him. After 3 hours at the vet, he was shaved, bathed in antibacterial wash, dried and his ears flushed. I left the vet with antibiotics, antifungal meds, some blue stuff to scrub the crusties off and some anti fungal cream. His skin has been getting better but after a few days I think the antibiotics were fighting with his stomach. He's been having trouble keeping food down. I thought he was better last night b/c he was hungry and ate and it stayed down... until about 6am this morning. Poor kid! I think I'm going to have to use the Pepto next. It's not exactly his favorite but if I get some into him and it stays I'll be happy.

Poor Heif is naked and covered in sores! :(

In other news, I ended up having Barbara's shredded wheats for dinner last night. I did 4.41 miles at the gym last night and was aiming for 5 miles but I ran out of time before I had to go to my BOSU abs class. It was closer than what I was able to do on Tuesday, so I guess I'm happy with that.

So far today, I have mixed feelings. I'm excited to go have sushi for lunch with my friend Laura because it has been too long since our last sushi date, but I am also sad. I just got word from my Mom that our oldest dog at home, Decca has died. We think that she had a stroke, followed by seizures. Poor thing. Hopefully this weekend will get better.

This is Decca's son Jack b/c I couldn't find a picture of her.