Another humid and hot Louisiana morning...and it's not even summer yet. I was a sweaty mess (sexy!) when I got home. There wasn't really anything to note today. I was a bit sore yesterday from my Monday run so I made sure to stretch really well this morning. I find it sort of awkward to run as slow as I've been. I know it's necessary to build up my endurance and to complete the day's workout, but when I let myself go the last minute of my last run it felt much more natural. I guess that should be my goal - work up to a comfortable pace that I can maintain for 30 minutes. I'm getting there.
I'm finally at a point that I can look back to the first week of this program and see how far I've come. Sometimes I've been impatient and sometimes I've wanted to quit, but I'm almost halfway - I can't quit now!
Overall today was a battle with the humidity. I finished easily and strong. One more run this week.
S.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Book Review: The Beach House by Jane Green
I finished this book this afternoon. It took me 5 days to read it - a pretty short time when I generally only read before bed. A few years back I read every Jane Green book I could get my hands on. Somewhere (probably still in a box) I have like 5 of her early paperbacks. They're all easy reading, generally about young 20- or 30-somethings living it up either around NYC or in London. Jane Green was born in London, but has lived in Connecticut the last 7 years so her early books are very London-centric while her later books are more American. I hadn't read any of her books in a long time. I never shell out the money for hardback books (except for Nicholas Sparks...I have the entire collection...) and generally only buy paperbacks on sale. Also, my library back home hadn't been getting any of her new books in for some reason. Well, when I was perusing the library here for the first time last week I was trying to think of any authors I liked and knew their names off the top of my head so I could easily find some books in the fiction section. Jane Green popped right up - such an easy name to remember!
So, the book: it's set in 2007 mostly in Nantucket up in New England. Growing up I spent a number of vacations on the Jersey shore, so I have very fond memories of the Atlantic Coast. I could think of nothing more perfect than waking up everyday to the sound of the waves, so obviously a book taking place in a rambling old beach house in Nantucket struck a chord with me. When I read the book jacket, I wasn't really sure if I'd like the book. I knew I liked her writing, but the book was centered around a 60-something woman, not the 20- or 30-somethings I was used to from her. I picked it up that night and dove in. It's an easy read and I got into the characters right away. There are a number of characters to keep track of right from the beginning so it took a bit to get the relationships and names straight in my head. The imagery is beautiful, as are the characters themselves. All walks of life are represented and I found a bit of myself in each one. There was one twist I totally didn't see coming which was nice. Generally I feel the twist coming on even if I'm not sure what it is, but this time I didn't have a clue. Overall, it was a really good book - one I will surely suggest to my mom (Hey, Mom! Read this book!). My only wish is that I could have read it sitting in an Adirondack chair on the porch of a gorgeous old house drinking lemonade and listening to the waves. It's a perfect summertime read.
Next up: Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult.
S.
So, the book: it's set in 2007 mostly in Nantucket up in New England. Growing up I spent a number of vacations on the Jersey shore, so I have very fond memories of the Atlantic Coast. I could think of nothing more perfect than waking up everyday to the sound of the waves, so obviously a book taking place in a rambling old beach house in Nantucket struck a chord with me. When I read the book jacket, I wasn't really sure if I'd like the book. I knew I liked her writing, but the book was centered around a 60-something woman, not the 20- or 30-somethings I was used to from her. I picked it up that night and dove in. It's an easy read and I got into the characters right away. There are a number of characters to keep track of right from the beginning so it took a bit to get the relationships and names straight in my head. The imagery is beautiful, as are the characters themselves. All walks of life are represented and I found a bit of myself in each one. There was one twist I totally didn't see coming which was nice. Generally I feel the twist coming on even if I'm not sure what it is, but this time I didn't have a clue. Overall, it was a really good book - one I will surely suggest to my mom (Hey, Mom! Read this book!). My only wish is that I could have read it sitting in an Adirondack chair on the porch of a gorgeous old house drinking lemonade and listening to the waves. It's a perfect summertime read.
Next up: Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult.
S.
Freak Out #1
I need to order my wedding invitations by Friday. I still haven't seen the final proofs of all the inserts. I haven't heard back from the priest about changing the time. I haven't gotten a final list of invitees from my in-laws. I haven't gone through my list of invitees or gotten with Brian to figure out what friends need to be invited.
This is the first thing in the whole wedding planning process that I've let get down to the wire. I don't think it's a desperate situation yet, but there isn't that much time left to work with. I'm not sure how long it will take for them to arrive after the order is placed and then they need to be addressed...oh my!
Actually, Mom and I decided earlier that we are going to do all the addressing on labels. I will do the labels here between now and when Brian and I go home at the end of May so I can leave them with Mom back home. It would be great if they were already in by then so I could help her assemble them, but if not, at least she won't have to address each one by hand.
I keep telling myself that this will work out fine, but it's so hard when you have to rely on other people to get things done and they're not doing it in a timely manner.
I'm sure this won't be the only freak out between now and the wedding. I hope none are more major than this.
I need to make a wedding-related phone call and start going over the guest list.
Tomorrow: Day 11 of the C25K!
S.
This is the first thing in the whole wedding planning process that I've let get down to the wire. I don't think it's a desperate situation yet, but there isn't that much time left to work with. I'm not sure how long it will take for them to arrive after the order is placed and then they need to be addressed...oh my!
Actually, Mom and I decided earlier that we are going to do all the addressing on labels. I will do the labels here between now and when Brian and I go home at the end of May so I can leave them with Mom back home. It would be great if they were already in by then so I could help her assemble them, but if not, at least she won't have to address each one by hand.
I keep telling myself that this will work out fine, but it's so hard when you have to rely on other people to get things done and they're not doing it in a timely manner.
I'm sure this won't be the only freak out between now and the wedding. I hope none are more major than this.
I need to make a wedding-related phone call and start going over the guest list.
Tomorrow: Day 11 of the C25K!
S.
Monday, April 27, 2009
C25K Day 10 + Weekend Fishing
I was scared to death when I took off this morning to try out Week 4/Day 10. Scared. To. Death. Wanna see the workout? Sure ya do:
5 min. warm-up walk.
Jog for 3 min.
Walk for 90 sec.
Jog for 5 min.
Walk for 2.5 min.
Jog for 3 min.
Walk for 90 sec.
Jog for 5 min.
5-7 min. cool-down walk.
Last week I was jogging for a total of 9 minutes, never for longer than 3 minutes at a time. And I was having a hard time with it last Friday. I kept coming home red-faced and exhausted. I had no idea how I was going to manage this week. Brian told me it may just be one of those weeks that I have to do for two weeks instead of one.
So, as I walked out of my driveway I promised myself that I would go slooooow. Like, embarassingly slow. Almost walking slow. I knew it was going to be hard, but I wanted to finish it. I did not want to do this week's workouts again next week. So, off I went for my 16 total minutes of jogging.
I made it home 30ish minutes later and I was alive and feeling pretty good. I went farther than I thought I would (2.2 miles total including warm-up & cool-down) and I didn't feel that bad. At some points it felt sooo slow to me, but it was worth it on that last 5 minute jog when I could actually pick it up and push myself for the last minute. I am so proud of myself. I keep surprising myself every week when I'm able to finish a work out that looked so hard on paper.
By the end of next week I'm supposed to be running for 20 minute (2ish miles) without walking. Eek!
Now, on a different subject, Brian and I went fishing on Saturday. We got a tad bit of color on our legs/arms, enjoyed some fab weather and didnt' catch a single thing (of the fish variety, anyway) in the 2+ hours we were there.
A few pics from the day:
^^The scene of our fishing adventure: Alligator Lake. I do not believe there are actually alligators in this lake, but this is Louisiana so I wouldn't be totally surprised if there were, indeed, alligators hiding somewhere.
^^The man in action. Look, I think he might actually be smiling!
^^The only thing either of us caught all day. It was slimy. And he touched it. Ew!
^^Happy about the weather and the fun adventure with the husband.
5 min. warm-up walk.
Jog for 3 min.
Walk for 90 sec.
Jog for 5 min.
Walk for 2.5 min.
Jog for 3 min.
Walk for 90 sec.
Jog for 5 min.
5-7 min. cool-down walk.
Last week I was jogging for a total of 9 minutes, never for longer than 3 minutes at a time. And I was having a hard time with it last Friday. I kept coming home red-faced and exhausted. I had no idea how I was going to manage this week. Brian told me it may just be one of those weeks that I have to do for two weeks instead of one.
So, as I walked out of my driveway I promised myself that I would go slooooow. Like, embarassingly slow. Almost walking slow. I knew it was going to be hard, but I wanted to finish it. I did not want to do this week's workouts again next week. So, off I went for my 16 total minutes of jogging.
I made it home 30ish minutes later and I was alive and feeling pretty good. I went farther than I thought I would (2.2 miles total including warm-up & cool-down) and I didn't feel that bad. At some points it felt sooo slow to me, but it was worth it on that last 5 minute jog when I could actually pick it up and push myself for the last minute. I am so proud of myself. I keep surprising myself every week when I'm able to finish a work out that looked so hard on paper.
By the end of next week I'm supposed to be running for 20 minute (2ish miles) without walking. Eek!
Now, on a different subject, Brian and I went fishing on Saturday. We got a tad bit of color on our legs/arms, enjoyed some fab weather and didnt' catch a single thing (of the fish variety, anyway) in the 2+ hours we were there.
A few pics from the day:
^^The scene of our fishing adventure: Alligator Lake. I do not believe there are actually alligators in this lake, but this is Louisiana so I wouldn't be totally surprised if there were, indeed, alligators hiding somewhere.
^^The man in action. Look, I think he might actually be smiling!
^^The only thing either of us caught all day. It was slimy. And he touched it. Ew!
^^Happy about the weather and the fun adventure with the husband.
^^Sad about the total lack of biting fish.
S.
Friday, April 24, 2009
C25K Day 9
Day 9 went better than Day 8, but still not great. This week is really kicking my butt for some reason. Before this week, the longest I'd run was 90 seconds at a time. Now I'm running 3 minutes at a time and it's hard! Today I tried to pace myself from the beginning so I wouldn't be totally worn out by the end. It worked to an extent, but I was still overheated and sorta panting when I got home. I think I might throw an extra day in tomorrow (Day 9A?) to try to get the kinks out before stepping it up again next week. I shudder to think what next week's workouts are.
Just wanted to get that quick running update in there before Brian gets here to pick me up for Family Fun Day. If you could only hear me sarcastically exclaim Family Fun Day you would know I'm nowhere near excited about it. *Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts.*
Also, the Great Danes two doors down have escaped twice in the last two days causing Tiny all kinds of fits. Apparently they are digging holes under the fence. How? And how is no one noticing these holes? And how are they fitting through any hole that any dog can dig? I should go take a gander at their backyard to see for myself if this is possible.
Then I look at my precious over-grown puppy and am so thankful he is well-behaved. Not so socialized and kind of anxious, but would never dig himself a hole under the fence and then run away from me for 20 minutes while I'm trying to get him back in his yard. If you couldn't tell, I adore my dog.
Happy Friday!
S.
Just wanted to get that quick running update in there before Brian gets here to pick me up for Family Fun Day. If you could only hear me sarcastically exclaim Family Fun Day you would know I'm nowhere near excited about it. *Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts.*
Also, the Great Danes two doors down have escaped twice in the last two days causing Tiny all kinds of fits. Apparently they are digging holes under the fence. How? And how is no one noticing these holes? And how are they fitting through any hole that any dog can dig? I should go take a gander at their backyard to see for myself if this is possible.
Then I look at my precious over-grown puppy and am so thankful he is well-behaved. Not so socialized and kind of anxious, but would never dig himself a hole under the fence and then run away from me for 20 minutes while I'm trying to get him back in his yard. If you couldn't tell, I adore my dog.
Happy Friday!
S.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Perfection
In the morning my postage-stamp-sized backyard is bathed in sun. On almost-summer days like today it's almost intolerable. I run out there with Tiny, let him do his business and then usher him back into the air-conditioning.
In late afternoon my postage-stamp-sized backyard becomes a shady oasis. This always made the afternoons even chillier in the dead of winter. Today, however, the shade was the perfect temperature. After walking to the mailbox shortly before Brian was due home, I grabbed my new library book, my dog and his bed from the living room and headed out back. We have a couple new plastic chairs out on the patio that were begging to be broken in.
I spent a perfect hour late this afternoon reading a so-far-so-good book with my puppy curled up at my feet and a slightly warm spring breeze blowing through the trees and my hair. How could an afternoon get any better?
S.
In late afternoon my postage-stamp-sized backyard becomes a shady oasis. This always made the afternoons even chillier in the dead of winter. Today, however, the shade was the perfect temperature. After walking to the mailbox shortly before Brian was due home, I grabbed my new library book, my dog and his bed from the living room and headed out back. We have a couple new plastic chairs out on the patio that were begging to be broken in.
I spent a perfect hour late this afternoon reading a so-far-so-good book with my puppy curled up at my feet and a slightly warm spring breeze blowing through the trees and my hair. How could an afternoon get any better?
S.
Library and Fun Day
I went to the library today. I love libraries. I love books. I let my fear of the unknown (aka this library) stop me from going before now. I am officially out of books to read, though, so I made myself stop in there before the commissary this morning. My fears, of course, were unfounded. The selection wasn't stellar, but I walked away with a couple books by my favorite authors to read up on in the next month. I'm so glad I've got that under my belt and that I can become a regular visitor there.
Tomorrow is Brian's Company Family Fun Day and I'm nervous about it. I don't really know anyone and we don't have any kids to distract me. There will be games and stuff that Brian will probably get roped into leaving me to fend for myself. I get really nervous about things like this. I'm not the most confident person if you couldn't tell. I just hope it's not total torture. I won't be so optimistic as to hope that I make a friend.
I think I might go get lost in one of my new books. :)
S.
Tomorrow is Brian's Company Family Fun Day and I'm nervous about it. I don't really know anyone and we don't have any kids to distract me. There will be games and stuff that Brian will probably get roped into leaving me to fend for myself. I get really nervous about things like this. I'm not the most confident person if you couldn't tell. I just hope it's not total torture. I won't be so optimistic as to hope that I make a friend.
I think I might go get lost in one of my new books. :)
S.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
C25K Day 8
Day 8 sucked. Besides the day I didn't complete last week, today was the toughest day so far. Why? A couple reasons.
1. Brian wasn't with me to pace me. I ran a bit too fast at the beginning so by the midway point I was done.
2. I ran later than I usually do so the sun/heat was a major factor. Brian got home for lunch shortly after I got back from the run and he said I looked rough (thanks hon!). I kept putting a wet paper towel on my face in an effort to cool myself off.
I, somehow, finished, but ran ridiculously slow at the end. I probably could have walked as fast and I was "running". Oh well, not every day can be easy. Now I have tomorrow to rest up (and run errands) before I have to try it again on Friday. I think Friday will be better.
S.
1. Brian wasn't with me to pace me. I ran a bit too fast at the beginning so by the midway point I was done.
2. I ran later than I usually do so the sun/heat was a major factor. Brian got home for lunch shortly after I got back from the run and he said I looked rough (thanks hon!). I kept putting a wet paper towel on my face in an effort to cool myself off.
I, somehow, finished, but ran ridiculously slow at the end. I probably could have walked as fast and I was "running". Oh well, not every day can be easy. Now I have tomorrow to rest up (and run errands) before I have to try it again on Friday. I think Friday will be better.
S.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
A Girl's Just Gotta Vent
Don't say I didn't warn you...
My entire life has revolved around the military. I know I am not alone in this. My dad was in the AF for 15 years. He retired early when I was 10. My military life did not end when he retired. All of us, his dependants, kept their IDs up-to-date. My mom would shop at the Commissary every two weeks like clock work. Mom and I used the gym 4+ times a week, every week, when I was living at home while Brian was deployed. My mom still goes to the gym every weekend without fail. I was raised in the church on base and will be married there in just over 3 months. Our entire family is forever entwined with the AF base in our hometown.
I know there are people/families out there who don't embrace the military the way my family does. To each his own, truly. If you'd rather brave Wal-Mart for your grocery needs, then please do. If you'd rather live off post/base, be my guest. That's not the way I was raised or choose to live my life.
What is the point of all this rambling? I'm getting there, I promise.
Doesn't every girl have a thing for a guy in a uniform? Any uniform? Just me? Ok. Whatever. Well, seeing as I was raised around and in an AF base, I was exposed regularly to guys walking around looking all nice and clean cut in their uniforms. I was kind of raised to find them attractive. Well, not just to find them attractive. I was raised to see them as I saw my dad. I was raised to see them as strong and dependable. As a great spouse and father. As everything I could want in a partner. No, I don't think every military man possesses those qualities. In fact, I know every military man doesn't. I just wanted a guy like my daddy. That's where I was coming from.
Now, sure, it would have been great to find some AF guy in my hometown, fall in love, get married, and live the life my mom had lived years before. That did not happen to me. I also did NOT go looking for it. I never went looking for it. I think you are sick and weird and delusional if you go looking for it. Who goes looking for love? If you're gonna end up a military wife, then by golly, life will send you a military man.
When I met Brian he had long hair, was going to school part-time at night while working full-time doing manual labor. He wasn't even 20 and still living at home. He was NOT a guy in a uniform. I loved him anyway. I fell in love with him anyway. I pictured our future together and it did not include camo. 8 months into our relationship he expressed an interest in joining the Army. I supported him because I loved him, not because I wanted him in a uniform. I also knew that my background with the military would make me a more understanding and sympathetic partner for this new chapter in his life. I stood by him and watched him leave for 4 months at boot camp. I stood by him as he left 4 months later for a 15 month deployment. I married him before that deployment knowing that we would be apart for 2 Christmases and everything in between.
No one knows what this life is like besides the amazing, strong, fearless women who are walking miles in my shoes (and love to blog about it!). My mother can sympathize with me and understands more than most, but she wasn't married to an Army man in a time of war with year-long deployments.
I take it personally when some stupid little girl out there is actively searching for a relationship - of whatever kind - with a military man. What I feel about this can't even be put into words. Well, it probably could, but it would get ugly really quick. That's not somewhere I want to go with my blog.
I typed all that nonsense up there to say: if you happen to fall in love with a military man or if you're already in love with someone who wants to join a military branch, you will find an amazing life full of wonderful opportunities and amazing people. You will find a place in this blogland with supportive, creative, funny women who are all going through what you're going through. This network of women - in blogland or otherwise - will not accept or condone a military gold-digger. At least keep your digging plans to yourself. Seriously.
I could keep writing, and writing.....and writing, but I'd be going in circles. There are always exceptions and I'm not lumping everyone into one category and I'm not making judgments based on anyone in particular. It's just something that's been bothering me for the last couple days after reading a blog a couple days ago. Nothing personal, really, just think before you put something out there on the internet. You just might offend some people.
S.
My entire life has revolved around the military. I know I am not alone in this. My dad was in the AF for 15 years. He retired early when I was 10. My military life did not end when he retired. All of us, his dependants, kept their IDs up-to-date. My mom would shop at the Commissary every two weeks like clock work. Mom and I used the gym 4+ times a week, every week, when I was living at home while Brian was deployed. My mom still goes to the gym every weekend without fail. I was raised in the church on base and will be married there in just over 3 months. Our entire family is forever entwined with the AF base in our hometown.
I know there are people/families out there who don't embrace the military the way my family does. To each his own, truly. If you'd rather brave Wal-Mart for your grocery needs, then please do. If you'd rather live off post/base, be my guest. That's not the way I was raised or choose to live my life.
What is the point of all this rambling? I'm getting there, I promise.
Doesn't every girl have a thing for a guy in a uniform? Any uniform? Just me? Ok. Whatever. Well, seeing as I was raised around and in an AF base, I was exposed regularly to guys walking around looking all nice and clean cut in their uniforms. I was kind of raised to find them attractive. Well, not just to find them attractive. I was raised to see them as I saw my dad. I was raised to see them as strong and dependable. As a great spouse and father. As everything I could want in a partner. No, I don't think every military man possesses those qualities. In fact, I know every military man doesn't. I just wanted a guy like my daddy. That's where I was coming from.
Now, sure, it would have been great to find some AF guy in my hometown, fall in love, get married, and live the life my mom had lived years before. That did not happen to me. I also did NOT go looking for it. I never went looking for it. I think you are sick and weird and delusional if you go looking for it. Who goes looking for love? If you're gonna end up a military wife, then by golly, life will send you a military man.
When I met Brian he had long hair, was going to school part-time at night while working full-time doing manual labor. He wasn't even 20 and still living at home. He was NOT a guy in a uniform. I loved him anyway. I fell in love with him anyway. I pictured our future together and it did not include camo. 8 months into our relationship he expressed an interest in joining the Army. I supported him because I loved him, not because I wanted him in a uniform. I also knew that my background with the military would make me a more understanding and sympathetic partner for this new chapter in his life. I stood by him and watched him leave for 4 months at boot camp. I stood by him as he left 4 months later for a 15 month deployment. I married him before that deployment knowing that we would be apart for 2 Christmases and everything in between.
No one knows what this life is like besides the amazing, strong, fearless women who are walking miles in my shoes (and love to blog about it!). My mother can sympathize with me and understands more than most, but she wasn't married to an Army man in a time of war with year-long deployments.
I take it personally when some stupid little girl out there is actively searching for a relationship - of whatever kind - with a military man. What I feel about this can't even be put into words. Well, it probably could, but it would get ugly really quick. That's not somewhere I want to go with my blog.
I typed all that nonsense up there to say: if you happen to fall in love with a military man or if you're already in love with someone who wants to join a military branch, you will find an amazing life full of wonderful opportunities and amazing people. You will find a place in this blogland with supportive, creative, funny women who are all going through what you're going through. This network of women - in blogland or otherwise - will not accept or condone a military gold-digger. At least keep your digging plans to yourself. Seriously.
I could keep writing, and writing.....and writing, but I'd be going in circles. There are always exceptions and I'm not lumping everyone into one category and I'm not making judgments based on anyone in particular. It's just something that's been bothering me for the last couple days after reading a blog a couple days ago. Nothing personal, really, just think before you put something out there on the internet. You just might offend some people.
S.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Concert Bust and Other Weekend Tidbits
This weekend there was a free concert on post with vendors and such - sort of like a small fair or something. It sounded like it could be interesting and I always love the fair back home. Maybe we'd find something interesting or even have a bit of fun. Well, Saturday turned out to be super rainy and they moved the whole shindig inside a big aircraft hanger. We decided to brave the rain and check it out anyway. To put it simply: it wasn't worth it. It was small and crowded with worthless vendors. We ate a funnel cake and drank a lemonade that then came back to haunt me all night in the form of the worst stomachache yet this year (and I get them often). There were alot of people there and I'm not even sure how many of them were military. The concert was free and advertised on local radio so I'm thinking there had to be some (or alot) non-military locals interested in a free concert. It doesn't help that there is super lax security about getting on here. Sometimes I wish it was as strict as the Air Force base back home so you know only military and their guests are walking around. So I think we were there a total of 10, maybe 15 minutes. It was disappointing and probably would have been better if the rain hadn't affected everything.
What else did we do this weekend? Oh yeah...we've played alot of Wii. Brian's mom got us a few Wii games at a garage sale and we've been enjoying Lego Indiana Jones this weekend. It's totally geared toward kids, but that's how I like my video games. When you die, you blow up into a bunch of lego pieces and then pop back up a couple seconds later. I like it and it's a nice change from Brian's normal Xbox games that I want nothing to do with.
Oh and I quit using the Proactiv. What was happening on my face and neck were NOT normal reactions. I've been off of it for a couple days and it's already improving. I need to call their 1-800 number and either get my money back or get their "gentle" formula and see how that works. Stupid face crap.
That's all for now. Just wanted to prove I haven't just been running every other day. Other things have been going on.
S.
P.S. My dad completed the Boston Marathon today in under 3 1/2 hours. He rocks.
What else did we do this weekend? Oh yeah...we've played alot of Wii. Brian's mom got us a few Wii games at a garage sale and we've been enjoying Lego Indiana Jones this weekend. It's totally geared toward kids, but that's how I like my video games. When you die, you blow up into a bunch of lego pieces and then pop back up a couple seconds later. I like it and it's a nice change from Brian's normal Xbox games that I want nothing to do with.
Oh and I quit using the Proactiv. What was happening on my face and neck were NOT normal reactions. I've been off of it for a couple days and it's already improving. I need to call their 1-800 number and either get my money back or get their "gentle" formula and see how that works. Stupid face crap.
That's all for now. Just wanted to prove I haven't just been running every other day. Other things have been going on.
S.
P.S. My dad completed the Boston Marathon today in under 3 1/2 hours. He rocks.
C25K Day 7
I did it. After some thought I decided to try out the prescribed Day 7 workout instead of repeating last week's workouts and I totally did it. It wasn't all that hard either. Brian was off again today so he ran with me. The 3-min. runs today were the longest I've run at one time and it felt better than I expected. Now I'll just have to see how I do on my own with it on Wednesday.
S.
S.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
C25K Day 6
Brian ran with me today. We hit up the trail through the woods near our house. I never run on it alone cause, well, it's a perfect place to get raped or killed. I'm sure my worries are due solely to too many crime shows, but I'd rather run on well-traveled neighborhood streets than through the woods alone - even if I do live on a military post. So, whenever I get Brian to go with me, we generally explore the woods trail. The trail is a harder run for me with more hills. Today was also a bit challenging because the humidity is somewhere around 90% I'm guessing. I should get used to the humidity, tho...I do live in Louisiana and summer is coming after all.
So, I did it. At times it sucked and I'm not sure how far I went. I am a disgusting mess in desperate need of a shower, but I feel great. I generally hate it when I'm doing it, but I always feel amazing when I'm finished.
I'm thinking about repeating this week's workouts again next week. I'll give myself until Monday to decide. If I don't repeat this week, next week's workouts will look like this:
Run 90 sec
Walk 90 sec
Run 3 min
Walk 3 min
Repeat once
It doesn't look that hard to me right now so I think I may go ahead and try it. It's actually the same amount of minutes running, just less walking. We'll see and you'll be kept updated!
S.
So, I did it. At times it sucked and I'm not sure how far I went. I am a disgusting mess in desperate need of a shower, but I feel great. I generally hate it when I'm doing it, but I always feel amazing when I'm finished.
I'm thinking about repeating this week's workouts again next week. I'll give myself until Monday to decide. If I don't repeat this week, next week's workouts will look like this:
Run 90 sec
Walk 90 sec
Run 3 min
Walk 3 min
Repeat once
It doesn't look that hard to me right now so I think I may go ahead and try it. It's actually the same amount of minutes running, just less walking. We'll see and you'll be kept updated!
S.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
C25K Day 5
I did it!
I did about 2.2 miles. I ran for 9 minutes total and briskly walked the rest. It was not easy, but I made myself do it.
Now I'm thinking I may not have to do this week over again. If I can get Day 6 in on Saturday then maybe I can move onto Week 3/Day 7 on Monday like I'm supposed to. I'll wait to make that decision until I run on Saturday and see how it feels.
On a side note:
The only scale in our house is the Wii Fit. We are registered for a scale but no one has purchased it yet so it may have to wait until after the wedding. We are only registered for it because Brian wanted it. I'm not a huge believer in having a scale sitting in the bathroom. I've never owned one and don't feel the need. Well, the Wii Fit weighs you, of course, to keep track of your BMI (which is probably wholly inaccurate for me cause I'm more muscular than most girls my size). Since my family visited last month I haven't stepped foot on the dang Wii Fit. My weight had been steadily (slowly, but steadily) climbing and I wasn't happy about it. So, I quit using the Wii Fit and I started running. I had started running before I started this program, if you remember. *Wow, I just jumped over to that post to grab the link and totally didn't realize I'd been running for about 6 weeks - crazy!* Anyway, I got on the stinking Wii Fit last night so that Brian could weigh his rucksack that he needed for today - for some reason I usually put the thing on my back to weigh it, please don't ask why. So I weighed in last night at a half pound lighter than a month ago. That was after eating all day - I prefer weighing myself after breakfast. This morning after my run? I was down another 2 pounds. That's 2.5 pounds lost total in the last month. I totally blame it on the running. I'm within a couple pounds of where I was before Brian came home. I'm damn happy about that!
**I should totally get a free Wii Fit for how many times I mentioned their product in the previous paragraph.
S.
I did about 2.2 miles. I ran for 9 minutes total and briskly walked the rest. It was not easy, but I made myself do it.
Now I'm thinking I may not have to do this week over again. If I can get Day 6 in on Saturday then maybe I can move onto Week 3/Day 7 on Monday like I'm supposed to. I'll wait to make that decision until I run on Saturday and see how it feels.
On a side note:
The only scale in our house is the Wii Fit. We are registered for a scale but no one has purchased it yet so it may have to wait until after the wedding. We are only registered for it because Brian wanted it. I'm not a huge believer in having a scale sitting in the bathroom. I've never owned one and don't feel the need. Well, the Wii Fit weighs you, of course, to keep track of your BMI (which is probably wholly inaccurate for me cause I'm more muscular than most girls my size). Since my family visited last month I haven't stepped foot on the dang Wii Fit. My weight had been steadily (slowly, but steadily) climbing and I wasn't happy about it. So, I quit using the Wii Fit and I started running. I had started running before I started this program, if you remember. *Wow, I just jumped over to that post to grab the link and totally didn't realize I'd been running for about 6 weeks - crazy!* Anyway, I got on the stinking Wii Fit last night so that Brian could weigh his rucksack that he needed for today - for some reason I usually put the thing on my back to weigh it, please don't ask why. So I weighed in last night at a half pound lighter than a month ago. That was after eating all day - I prefer weighing myself after breakfast. This morning after my run? I was down another 2 pounds. That's 2.5 pounds lost total in the last month. I totally blame it on the running. I'm within a couple pounds of where I was before Brian came home. I'm damn happy about that!
**I should totally get a free Wii Fit for how many times I mentioned their product in the previous paragraph.
S.
Stupid Proactiv
Over Easter weekend when we were home, one of the things on my to-do list was to hit up the Proactiv kiosk at the mall for a starter kit.
I have super sensitive skin that has driven me absolutely insane for years. I've had issues with acne compounded by my sensitive, dry skin. For years I thought I had oily skin since I seemed to break out so often. Apparently I was wrong. Last winter I ended up with eczema on my chin. In case you didn't click that link, eczema is inflammation due to very dry skin. My chin is where I always break out. How could this part of my face that I always assumed was oily actually be so dry it's red and itchy?
I got the eczema easily under control, but have been trying everything/anything to try to get my face to a good place. I've used sensitive skin face washes, but I don't feel like they do anything for my breakouts or my skin overall. Anything else seems to dry me out. I'm about fed up.
I talked to my Aunt a few weeks ago and she told me she was using Proactiv. My aunt and I are eerily alike. She is my God-mother and they say that you get some trait from each of your God-parents. Well, I got more than one trait from her! I figured that maybe Proactiv would work for me if it worked for her. Plus, those obnoxious commercials were starting to wear on me.
I knew my skin might reject the Proactiv so instead of using it twice a day like they suggest, I just used it at night before bed. I also made sure to lather on plenty of Clinique moisturizer after I used the system.
So, I used the new Proactiv system for 2 nights and woke up yesterday morning with a lovely bumpy texture all over my neck and face. Ordinarily I would have promptly freaked out, but my lovely skin has done this before in reaction to facewashes that are too harsh for my face. Now I am thinking of trying to system every other night instead of every night and if that doesn't work I'm calling the magic 1-800 number to see about a more sensitive system.
I'm thankful my face has never been extremely bad and that, for the most part, I can put make up on and look totally normal. Nothing about my face has ever affected my everyday life, but that doesn't mean I like it. I want a clear, radiant face. How long will it take for me to find a face care system that works for me? Maybe I'm just cursed. My wonderful skin has been reacting to everything since I was a baby so I shouldn't be surprised.
I think I'm most worried about our wedding day. I want so desperately to wake up that day with a wonderful clear face, but I can't rely on my skin to do what I want it to. Maybe I can make this Proactiv business work for me. It's just frustrating.
I really need to catch up on blogging so there may be a bunch of posts coming your way. Maybe. I'm terrible at commitments. Well besides marriage and such.
S.
I have super sensitive skin that has driven me absolutely insane for years. I've had issues with acne compounded by my sensitive, dry skin. For years I thought I had oily skin since I seemed to break out so often. Apparently I was wrong. Last winter I ended up with eczema on my chin. In case you didn't click that link, eczema is inflammation due to very dry skin. My chin is where I always break out. How could this part of my face that I always assumed was oily actually be so dry it's red and itchy?
I got the eczema easily under control, but have been trying everything/anything to try to get my face to a good place. I've used sensitive skin face washes, but I don't feel like they do anything for my breakouts or my skin overall. Anything else seems to dry me out. I'm about fed up.
I talked to my Aunt a few weeks ago and she told me she was using Proactiv. My aunt and I are eerily alike. She is my God-mother and they say that you get some trait from each of your God-parents. Well, I got more than one trait from her! I figured that maybe Proactiv would work for me if it worked for her. Plus, those obnoxious commercials were starting to wear on me.
I knew my skin might reject the Proactiv so instead of using it twice a day like they suggest, I just used it at night before bed. I also made sure to lather on plenty of Clinique moisturizer after I used the system.
So, I used the new Proactiv system for 2 nights and woke up yesterday morning with a lovely bumpy texture all over my neck and face. Ordinarily I would have promptly freaked out, but my lovely skin has done this before in reaction to facewashes that are too harsh for my face. Now I am thinking of trying to system every other night instead of every night and if that doesn't work I'm calling the magic 1-800 number to see about a more sensitive system.
I'm thankful my face has never been extremely bad and that, for the most part, I can put make up on and look totally normal. Nothing about my face has ever affected my everyday life, but that doesn't mean I like it. I want a clear, radiant face. How long will it take for me to find a face care system that works for me? Maybe I'm just cursed. My wonderful skin has been reacting to everything since I was a baby so I shouldn't be surprised.
I think I'm most worried about our wedding day. I want so desperately to wake up that day with a wonderful clear face, but I can't rely on my skin to do what I want it to. Maybe I can make this Proactiv business work for me. It's just frustrating.
I really need to catch up on blogging so there may be a bunch of posts coming your way. Maybe. I'm terrible at commitments. Well besides marriage and such.
S.
C25K Day 4 (from Tuesday)
Day 4 did not go well. After my weekend back home, my digestive system was totally pissed off at me. All the amazing food I ate for those 3 days graced me with a wonderful constant stomachache for a few days after we returned.
I managed half the prescribed run, but had to quit and walk back home. After walk/running the first mile of my two mile loop, my stomach was seriously angry. I hate feeling nauseous and I HATE throwing up. If something makes me feel nauseous, I will stop doing it and I may never do it again. So when I finished my 3rd 90 second run I gave up and decided that this week of training may need to take 2 weeks instead of 1. I still haven't decided if I'll repeat this workout next week, but it will be ok if I do.
I was disappointed on Tuesday when I stumbled for the first time on this journey, but I didn't beat myself up. After I post this, I am going to try it again. I feelin like today is the day. I feel better today, I feel ready to go run.
S.
I managed half the prescribed run, but had to quit and walk back home. After walk/running the first mile of my two mile loop, my stomach was seriously angry. I hate feeling nauseous and I HATE throwing up. If something makes me feel nauseous, I will stop doing it and I may never do it again. So when I finished my 3rd 90 second run I gave up and decided that this week of training may need to take 2 weeks instead of 1. I still haven't decided if I'll repeat this workout next week, but it will be ok if I do.
I was disappointed on Tuesday when I stumbled for the first time on this journey, but I didn't beat myself up. After I post this, I am going to try it again. I feelin like today is the day. I feel better today, I feel ready to go run.
S.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
C25K Day 3 (from Saturday)
I had to tweak my normal MWF running schedule since we were driving home and back on Friday and Monday. Saturday morning we got up a little before 9 and headed to the local park to run a couple laps around their 1 mile track. We took Tiny and it was perfectly chilly. The track there is totally flat (like everything is around there) so the run was easier than the previous 2. I ran farther/faster than ever before and felt good. I always end up breathing hard, but that's how I know I'm working.
Today starts week 2 of the C25K program. Instead of running 60 seconds/walking 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes I'll be running 90 seconds/walking 2 minutes for a total of 21 minutes. I'll let you know later how I do with that one!
S.
Today starts week 2 of the C25K program. Instead of running 60 seconds/walking 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes I'll be running 90 seconds/walking 2 minutes for a total of 21 minutes. I'll let you know later how I do with that one!
S.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter 2009
I'm enjoying my day with the ones I love most. I hope you are able to do the same. Happy Easter everyone!
S.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Fire and PB Cookies
I'm in a lazy mood today. I probably should have run this morning, but here I sit. Instead of running, I baked cookies. Kind of counter-productive, no? After I write this, I'm trying to convince myself that I'll go upstairs and pack for our trip tomorrow, jump in the shower, and maybe change the sheets on the bed. We'll see how much of that I actually accomplish.
Our hometown and the surrounding areas are getting hit really hard right now with drought, wild fires and wind. So far in 2009 our hometown has received just over 1 inch of rain. By this time last year they were over 5 inches of rain. Today, my mom had a meeting in a town about 10 minutes away. She arrived at the junior high/intermediate to find a fire across the street and the school in the process of evacuating. My mom called me practically screaming. Fires are very serious matters in those parts. She had driven by that very field an hour before and there was no fire. The junior high/intermediate and high school are in danger and by now could very well be up in flames. According to our local paper, the number of fires in that part of the state is over 80 for the year. Eighty. I'm just hoping and praying for the best. For rain and for the wind to stop blowing.
I'll leave you on a good note with the Peanut Butter Cookie recipe I made this morning.
No Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
1 C. Peanut Butter
1/4 C. White Sugar
1/2 C. Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 Egg
Mix all ingredients. Form into teaspoon size balls. Use fork to flatten cookies on cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes.
Notes from me:
1. I rolled mine in white sugar before putting them on the cookie sheet and flattening them. I thought they were a bit too sticky before - worked for me!
2. I used a tablespoon measuring spoon to scoop the dough and then made 2 balls out of each tablespoon. So each ball was 1/2 a tablespoon...does that make it a teaspoon?
3. I baked mine on a plain ole cookie sheet lined with parchment paper - I swear by the stuff.
4. After 8 minutes they may not look done, but they are. If you make them teaspoon to 1/2 tablespoon sized, then they will be perfect after 8 minutes, trust me!
S.
Our hometown and the surrounding areas are getting hit really hard right now with drought, wild fires and wind. So far in 2009 our hometown has received just over 1 inch of rain. By this time last year they were over 5 inches of rain. Today, my mom had a meeting in a town about 10 minutes away. She arrived at the junior high/intermediate to find a fire across the street and the school in the process of evacuating. My mom called me practically screaming. Fires are very serious matters in those parts. She had driven by that very field an hour before and there was no fire. The junior high/intermediate and high school are in danger and by now could very well be up in flames. According to our local paper, the number of fires in that part of the state is over 80 for the year. Eighty. I'm just hoping and praying for the best. For rain and for the wind to stop blowing.
I'll leave you on a good note with the Peanut Butter Cookie recipe I made this morning.
No Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
1 C. Peanut Butter
1/4 C. White Sugar
1/2 C. Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 Egg
Mix all ingredients. Form into teaspoon size balls. Use fork to flatten cookies on cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes.
Notes from me:
1. I rolled mine in white sugar before putting them on the cookie sheet and flattening them. I thought they were a bit too sticky before - worked for me!
2. I used a tablespoon measuring spoon to scoop the dough and then made 2 balls out of each tablespoon. So each ball was 1/2 a tablespoon...does that make it a teaspoon?
3. I baked mine on a plain ole cookie sheet lined with parchment paper - I swear by the stuff.
4. After 8 minutes they may not look done, but they are. If you make them teaspoon to 1/2 tablespoon sized, then they will be perfect after 8 minutes, trust me!
S.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
C25K Day 2
I'm doing the Couch-to-5K program (C25K). I wrote about it here and the program is explained here. I run/walk 3 times a week for 8 weeks (a total of 24 run/walks). I should be able to run for 30 minutes (about 3 miles) without stopping by the end of week 8. Or so they say.
My run this morning was kinda rough, but ok. I overdressed so I was hot most of the time. Monday when I ran it was cold and windy so I was constantly shoving my freezing hands in my tiny jacket pockets in between runs. I checked the temperature before I went today, but thought I'd be fine in my sweatshirt with the temps in the low 50s. I was wrong. By halfway I was sweating. By 3/4 of the way I was cursing my adorable pink sweatshirt.
Monday I jog/walked straight up the main drag near my house and turned around at the halfway point making any uphills on the first half downhills on the second half. Today I met a woman with an overly friendly dog 10 seconds before my intended turn around. I didn't want to turn around and pass the friendly dog again so I just kept going. That decision made my 20 minute jog/walk almost all uphill. With a sweatshirt on. I pushed through, though and finished day 2. Because I kept going, I ended up making an almost 3 mile loop around my neighborhood instead of the 2 miles I did on Monday.
It was gorgeous weather this morning and as soon as I finished the run portion I stripped off my sweatshirt and enjoyed the cool breeze. I am totally loving the weather here right now. I'm dreading the summer, but so far spring has been delightful. The trees are all that fresh spring green color and every morning seems to be perfect work out weather.
Since Brian and I are going home Friday-Monday, I have to readjust my running days. I might do my 3rd day this week tomorrow instead of Friday. If I don't do that then I'll try to do it Saturday morning in my parents neighborhood. Monday's run will have to be rescheduled for Tuesday next week once we're back. I'm kinda bummed this little trip home will mess up with my schedule when I just started, but I'll just have to make sure I keep at it no matter where I am.
2 down, 22 to go.
S.
My run this morning was kinda rough, but ok. I overdressed so I was hot most of the time. Monday when I ran it was cold and windy so I was constantly shoving my freezing hands in my tiny jacket pockets in between runs. I checked the temperature before I went today, but thought I'd be fine in my sweatshirt with the temps in the low 50s. I was wrong. By halfway I was sweating. By 3/4 of the way I was cursing my adorable pink sweatshirt.
Monday I jog/walked straight up the main drag near my house and turned around at the halfway point making any uphills on the first half downhills on the second half. Today I met a woman with an overly friendly dog 10 seconds before my intended turn around. I didn't want to turn around and pass the friendly dog again so I just kept going. That decision made my 20 minute jog/walk almost all uphill. With a sweatshirt on. I pushed through, though and finished day 2. Because I kept going, I ended up making an almost 3 mile loop around my neighborhood instead of the 2 miles I did on Monday.
It was gorgeous weather this morning and as soon as I finished the run portion I stripped off my sweatshirt and enjoyed the cool breeze. I am totally loving the weather here right now. I'm dreading the summer, but so far spring has been delightful. The trees are all that fresh spring green color and every morning seems to be perfect work out weather.
Since Brian and I are going home Friday-Monday, I have to readjust my running days. I might do my 3rd day this week tomorrow instead of Friday. If I don't do that then I'll try to do it Saturday morning in my parents neighborhood. Monday's run will have to be rescheduled for Tuesday next week once we're back. I'm kinda bummed this little trip home will mess up with my schedule when I just started, but I'll just have to make sure I keep at it no matter where I am.
2 down, 22 to go.
S.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
There are Leash Laws for a Reason
So I finished all the thank you notes last night. I wanted cute stamps for them but the post office was out of everything (figures). Most of them got forever stamps and a few got some left over Christmas nutcrackers. Hey, I needed to get rid of them before stamp prices go up next month! Oh, also, it took almost a full hour to drive from my house to the post office, buy stamps, put them on the cards, plunk them in a mailbox and drive back to my house. A whole hour!!! The post office is right outside a side gate of the post....the side gate on the opposite side of post from my house. I feel like I live in the boonies!! Well, I kinda do...
I got back to LA a week ago from a 10 day trip back to Hometown. Brian and I are heading back to Hometown on Friday for Easter weekend. We need to meet with the priest at my church a couple times before the wedding and Brian's chain of command is pushing for him to get it overwith ASAP. Somehow it was decided that he should go this weekend and I, of course, must go along. So, about 10 days after returning from Hometown, I'll do that 8 hr trek all over again. At least this time I won't have to drive the whole way.
I'm having issues with my neighbors. They live two doors down on the end of our building and they have 2 Great Danes. There are rules for the housing on post: you must pick up after your dog, you can't have more than 2 pets, and your dog must be on a leash when not in the backyard. These neighbors I speak of think it's totally fine to have one or both of their Great Danes loose in the front yard. If they are loose, we can't take Tiny anywhere. Tiny also loves barking and growling ferociously at them through the window or glass storm door. Once my Great Dane and their Great Dane attacked each other with my glass storm door between them. I was so pissed! Keep your dang dog on a leash and away from my window and door! Stop terrorizing my poor dog. I am the most responsible dog owner you'll find. I can't even walk my dog because of the idiots that live around here who think it's cool to let their dogs run loose. (Not that these idiots are only here. I had this same problem in my parents' neighborhood when I was living there.) It's soooo frustrating! If there is one more incident with their dogs, I will report them. I won't feel bad about it either.
Tomorrow is another running day. Hopefully it goes as smoothly as yesterday.
S.
I got back to LA a week ago from a 10 day trip back to Hometown. Brian and I are heading back to Hometown on Friday for Easter weekend. We need to meet with the priest at my church a couple times before the wedding and Brian's chain of command is pushing for him to get it overwith ASAP. Somehow it was decided that he should go this weekend and I, of course, must go along. So, about 10 days after returning from Hometown, I'll do that 8 hr trek all over again. At least this time I won't have to drive the whole way.
I'm having issues with my neighbors. They live two doors down on the end of our building and they have 2 Great Danes. There are rules for the housing on post: you must pick up after your dog, you can't have more than 2 pets, and your dog must be on a leash when not in the backyard. These neighbors I speak of think it's totally fine to have one or both of their Great Danes loose in the front yard. If they are loose, we can't take Tiny anywhere. Tiny also loves barking and growling ferociously at them through the window or glass storm door. Once my Great Dane and their Great Dane attacked each other with my glass storm door between them. I was so pissed! Keep your dang dog on a leash and away from my window and door! Stop terrorizing my poor dog. I am the most responsible dog owner you'll find. I can't even walk my dog because of the idiots that live around here who think it's cool to let their dogs run loose. (Not that these idiots are only here. I had this same problem in my parents' neighborhood when I was living there.) It's soooo frustrating! If there is one more incident with their dogs, I will report them. I won't feel bad about it either.
Tomorrow is another running day. Hopefully it goes as smoothly as yesterday.
S.
Monday, April 6, 2009
I'm Back: Cookies, Thank Yous & Running
I'm back. I'm still not entirely sure why I needed a break, but I did. I'm not about to guarantee that I'll be a blogging fiend now, but I love this blog too much to abandon it.
Since we last spoke I did some wedding planning, attended my bridal shower, hauled all the shower loot back to Louisiana, attempted to get the house back in order, and wrote 30+ thank you notes (so far...).
We got so many amazing things at the shower. My kitchen has been in a constant state of transition for the last week and is finally getting back to normal. I am now the proud owner of a fantastic Calphalon cookware set and my personal must-have in the kitchen: a black KitchenAid Mixer. Right now a fabulous chocolate chip cookie dough recipe is making it's home in my new mixing bowl. The mixer worked like a dream and the cookies are super yummy (and bad for my love handles). I have been putting off all cookie baking in this house until I had a KitchenAid of my very own because I refuse to mix cookie dough with my own brute strength. I figured a classic chocolate chip cookie would be the perfect thing to try first. We're going to get so fat on cookies, but it'll be so worth it!
Since we got so many great things at the shower, I am now having to write what seems like a million thank you notes. Actually I've written about 30 and still have 20ish to go. I said I would finish them today, but I have yet to write one. I'll tackle that after I finish this (or so I say...). I can't imagine how brides who invite 300+ people to their shower(s) and wedding find time and energy to write all the thank you notes! I know that they are absolutely essential and I want to write them to thank everyone I care about, but I can't imagine having to write hundreds instead of the measly 50 I need to finish. It's also going to cost a mini fortune to mail them. Tomorrow my plan is to camp out at the post office with some cute stamps and get them all in the mail - and out of my hands!
In running news...I'm still going! While I was home I ran a full mile without a break on the treadmill. I have yet to achieve that running on the streets around my house in LA, but it will come. When I started I just planned to run as long and far as I could comfortably and try to continually improve on my previous personal best. Since I got home last week, I decided to change my tactics and jump on the Couch-to-5K bandwagon. Not that it's really a bandwagon, but whatever. I'm officially in the middle of week 1 of the 8 week program. My ultimate goal is to be able to run the Turkey Trot that my dad's runner's club puts on every Thanksgiving. Last Thanksgiving my brother and I walked it (after getting there are the crack of dawn to work the registration tables), but this Thanksgiving I want to run the entire thing. It is so totally attainable, especially since I've got over 6 months and I plan on following the C25K program as prescribed.
Right now on the program I am running 60 for seconds and then walking for 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes. I also start and end with 5 minute warm up/cool down brisk walks. That's a total of 30 minutes of exercise and this morning I ran/walked for a total of 2 miles. I knew I went farther than I anticipated, but I didn't imagine that it would be 2 miles. Since I know that's about how far I go in those 30 minutes, I mapped out a nice loop in my neighborhood to try out on Wednesday. It's just hard enough to remind me why I'm doing this, but not so hard that it's discouraging.
So, that's my life! Ha. I probably could keep writing, but I need to get some more clothes in the washing machine and finish up my choco-chip cookies. Oh, and write 20 more thank you notes (duh!).
Hope you haven't missed me too much!
S.
Since we last spoke I did some wedding planning, attended my bridal shower, hauled all the shower loot back to Louisiana, attempted to get the house back in order, and wrote 30+ thank you notes (so far...).
We got so many amazing things at the shower. My kitchen has been in a constant state of transition for the last week and is finally getting back to normal. I am now the proud owner of a fantastic Calphalon cookware set and my personal must-have in the kitchen: a black KitchenAid Mixer. Right now a fabulous chocolate chip cookie dough recipe is making it's home in my new mixing bowl. The mixer worked like a dream and the cookies are super yummy (and bad for my love handles). I have been putting off all cookie baking in this house until I had a KitchenAid of my very own because I refuse to mix cookie dough with my own brute strength. I figured a classic chocolate chip cookie would be the perfect thing to try first. We're going to get so fat on cookies, but it'll be so worth it!
Since we got so many great things at the shower, I am now having to write what seems like a million thank you notes. Actually I've written about 30 and still have 20ish to go. I said I would finish them today, but I have yet to write one. I'll tackle that after I finish this (or so I say...). I can't imagine how brides who invite 300+ people to their shower(s) and wedding find time and energy to write all the thank you notes! I know that they are absolutely essential and I want to write them to thank everyone I care about, but I can't imagine having to write hundreds instead of the measly 50 I need to finish. It's also going to cost a mini fortune to mail them. Tomorrow my plan is to camp out at the post office with some cute stamps and get them all in the mail - and out of my hands!
In running news...I'm still going! While I was home I ran a full mile without a break on the treadmill. I have yet to achieve that running on the streets around my house in LA, but it will come. When I started I just planned to run as long and far as I could comfortably and try to continually improve on my previous personal best. Since I got home last week, I decided to change my tactics and jump on the Couch-to-5K bandwagon. Not that it's really a bandwagon, but whatever. I'm officially in the middle of week 1 of the 8 week program. My ultimate goal is to be able to run the Turkey Trot that my dad's runner's club puts on every Thanksgiving. Last Thanksgiving my brother and I walked it (after getting there are the crack of dawn to work the registration tables), but this Thanksgiving I want to run the entire thing. It is so totally attainable, especially since I've got over 6 months and I plan on following the C25K program as prescribed.
Right now on the program I am running 60 for seconds and then walking for 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes. I also start and end with 5 minute warm up/cool down brisk walks. That's a total of 30 minutes of exercise and this morning I ran/walked for a total of 2 miles. I knew I went farther than I anticipated, but I didn't imagine that it would be 2 miles. Since I know that's about how far I go in those 30 minutes, I mapped out a nice loop in my neighborhood to try out on Wednesday. It's just hard enough to remind me why I'm doing this, but not so hard that it's discouraging.
So, that's my life! Ha. I probably could keep writing, but I need to get some more clothes in the washing machine and finish up my choco-chip cookies. Oh, and write 20 more thank you notes (duh!).
Hope you haven't missed me too much!
S.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
I Love Stuff Like This!
A real blog will be coming soon, but until then I leave you with this really cool video:
S.
S.
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