Tuesday, May 21, 2013

5K Ready

It's that time again.
 
Race time.
 
I'm super excited to be running the Run for Peace at Home 5K for the second year in a row this Saturday.
 
 
This was one of my favorite races last year because it was my first PR...
 
 
...and it is my favorite course because it was my last 5K PR in March.
 
 
It's technically more of a trail race, but it's really pretty, relatively flat and the turnout of racers and spectators is usually great.
 
Not really sure if I'm in PR shape right now, but I'll definitely go out there and try my hardest.  I love the anticipation of a race weekend and it always reassures me that I am so lucky to be doing something that I love and enjoy this much.
 
Anyone running a race this weekend?
 
Do you run the same races every year?
 
 
Work out 5/20- XT, weights
 
elliptical- 30 minutes
free weights/machines- 30 minutes


Monday, May 20, 2013

Weekends are the Best

 
Happy Monday everyone!
 
We couldn't have had a better weekend filled with great food, great times, and even more amazing friends. 
 
Let's just say the weekend went off without a hitch and even though I'm pretty tired on this Monday morning it was all worth it :)
 
Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!
 
 
Work out 5/18- XT, Run
 
elliptical- 20 minutes
TM- 1.3 miles, 10 minutes
 
Work out 5/19- Rest day


Friday, May 17, 2013

Froyo. Good for You & the Soul.

Today is short and sweet.
 
First off, it's Friday, and we all know I just love that.
 
Second off, I had a fantastic run on the treadmill this morning and an all around good work out.  Best way ever to start the day and especially the weekend.
 
Third off, I saw the most amazing thing in the entire World over on Hungry Runner Girl 's blog and totally had to steal it.
 
 
I sent it to the hubs immediately and said "I told you so!"  He hasn't responded yet.
 
It's no secret that I'm obsessed in love with froyo and frequent Yoforia multiple times a week because it's just so good, and apparently good for you!  You know it's bad when the people that work there know who you are...
 
 
So good.
 
We are trying out  a new place for a date night tonight called Wolfgang Puck Pizza and I'm super excited about it.  I'll report back after the weekend for all the Charlottians out there.
 
Saturday we are throwing an engagement party for our friends and I'm just hoping that the weather holds out, but it's going to be a great time.
 
And just because who doesn't love seeing cute puppies...here's my two girls :)
 
 
 
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
 
 
Work out 5/15- Run
 
3.01 miles, 25 minutes, super slow, hot miles outside
 
Work out 5/16- XT, weights
 
elliptical- 30 minutes
free weights/machines- 30 minutes
 
Work out 5/17- Run, weights
 
TM- 3.2 miles, 26 minutes (3.1 miles 24:03 minutes, 7:46 pace)
free weights/machines- 30 minutes


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Wednesday Mantra


 
Definitely living by these words today...and always.
 
 
Work out 5/14- Rest day


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Just Dance

 
Because sometimes, that's all you can do.
 
 
Work out 5/13- XT
 
elliptical- 30 minutes


Monday, May 13, 2013

Weekend in Photos

The hubs was out of town in New Orleans this weekend for a bachelor party so I flew solo all weekend long.
 
 The highlight was that my mom came up on Saturday for lunch and shopping and we had a great time, otherwise it was a pretty low key weekend.
 
Since not too much happened, I will just document it in pictures for you.

Friday morning I got up early, hit the gym, and ran 4.4 extremely hard and sweaty miles.  Best way to start your weekend in my opinion.
 
 
My blurry treadmill

 
After work I went to dinner and to see The Great Gatsby with my bf Tay.  It was good, different than I expected but Leo can do no wrong in my eyes.
 
 
Saturday morning I woke up, went to the gym, then got ready for my Mom to get there.  We had the best day ever and I am so glad she came up and I got to see her!
 
After she left I was extremely bored so I went to Dean & Deluca to grab some macaroons and wine so I could enjoy a little R&R with the dogs and watch Gossip Girl all night ;)
 

{Pistachio, dark chocolate, and strawberry French macaroons}
 
Most amazing dessert ever.
 
 
My sweet girl.  Girlfriend probably needs to get her nails did though...
 
Sunday was a fantastic Mother's Day.  I went to lunch with my Mother and Father in law at Dean & Deluca, came home and laid out for a while, and then went on a nice 3 mile run.  The weather was literally perfect yesterday so it was nice to be able to spend so much time outside finally.
 
I am so blessed to have such an amazing mom and mother in law and I am so lucky to be able to spend the weekend with both of them.  I love them more than anything, they are the best in the World!
 
Well, that pretty much sums up my weekend in pictures.  I hope everyone got to be with their Mom's yesterday and had an amazing Mother's Day!
 
 
Work out 5/11- XT
 
elliptical- 30 minutes
 
Work out 5/12- Run
 
3 miles, 25:51 minutes


Friday, May 10, 2013

Friday Favorite

 
Remember how I said I am obsessed with Gossip Girl these days?
 
Well I heard this song by Robyn at the end of a pretty fantastic episode during a steamy scene between Chuck and Blair and I can't stop listening to it or get enough of C & B. 


Love it and love them.
 
Perfect way to head into the weekend. 
 
Happy Friday!
 

Work out 5/9- XT, weights
 
elliptical- 20 minutes
free weights/machines-25 minutes
 
Work out 5/10- Run, weights
 
TM- 4.4 miles, 36 minutes (4 miles in 30:30 min)
free weights/machines- 25 minutes
 

 
 
 
 
 


Thursday, May 9, 2013

My Relationship with Running

Yep. Pretty much sums it up.
 
How would you describe your relationship with running?
 
 
Work out 5/8- Rest day


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Dreadmill

Most people like to refer to the treadmill as the dreadmill because some people consider it torture to run in the same place for countless minutes or hours and would rather do anything else in it's place.
 
Me?  I have a different approach to the treadmill.
 
I have actually embraced it and welcomed it into my work out, running, training, etc., routine and we have a pretty good relationship I'd have to say.
 
The reason I enjoy the treadmill is because I can control my speed and really push myself for longer than I would be able to outside. 
 
Almost every time I jump on the treadmill, I plan to push it hard because I know that I can and I use that as a great training tool for speed work.
 
To avoid boredom I usually start out at a comfortable pace (anywhere from an 8:30 pace to 8:00 pace depending on the day) for the first mile and then afterwards I increase my speed by mile or .1 of a mile.
 
My run on the treadmill yesterday went as follows:
 
Mile 1- 8:27 pace
Mile 2: 7:58 pace
Mile 3: Kept increasing speed and ended with 6:26 pace
Total: 3 miles, 23:36 min, 7:52 overall pace
 
Running that fast on a treadmill is not easy, I think I try harder not to fall off than anything else, but running that speed helps with my breathing and overall fitness. 
 
I have noticed tremendous changes once I hit the pavement outside and my overall speed has increased since doing speed work on the treadmill over the past 6 months.
 
So I'm here today to say, embrace the treadmill.  If you look at it for a great speed work/training tool then you will have a positive outlook and your running will definitely improve.
 
Enough running talk...check out my in laws new puppy, Ellie!!
 


 
Lay didn't really know what to think of her.

 
Molls of course was scared of her...that girl has no clue how big she is.




 
 
Holy cuteness overload!! Welcome to the fam Ellie :)
 
What kind of dog do you have?
 
 
Work out 5/7- Run, weights
 
TM- 3.5 miles, 31 minutes (3 miles, 23:36 min)
free weights/machines- 30 minutes


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

World's Best Pizza

 
Today I am going to show you my famous...ok maybe not famous anywhere other than our house...recipe for THE World's Best Pizza.
 
If you love pizza, and especially with lots of delicious toppings, then this is the pie for you.
 
The hubs and I have taken years to perfect this masterpiece and it's a sure crowd pleaser every single time it's Italian night in our house.
 
Here's what you'll need:
 
 
{Fresh whole wheat dough, olive oil, organic pizza sauce, Mozzarella cheese, 2 handfuls baby spinach, 1/2 of each bell peppers, 10-12 cherry tomatoes, 2 sweet apple chicken sausage links, assorted spices}



 
Essentials

 
You can use any type of protein you'd like, but we are in love with this apple chicken sausage.  Just the right amount of salty and sweet.  It's amazing, take my word for it.

 
All fresh veggies from the farmer's market.
 
Here's how you make it:
 
Preheat the oven to 400*
 
After you cut up your veggies and sausage (1/2 of each bell pepper, 10-12 cherry tomatoes, 2 sausage links), roll out your dough and brush it with olive oil and then stick it in the oven for 10 minutes.
 
While that's cooking, put some olive oil in a frying pan and start cooking your sausage.  Once they are cooked, add your fresh veggies the pan.
 
 
After 10 minutes, take the dough out of the oven and brush the pizza sauce on there.  For me, the more sauce the better, so I use almost the entire jar.
 

 
Don't forget to add your spices.

 
Then put on the veggies and sausage and top it with mozzarella cheese.
 
 
Place it back in the oven for 15 minutes to let the rest of the dough cook and the cheese to get melty.
 
 
Voila!  There you have it, the World's best pizza...or at least in our opinion :)

 
Pair it with a nice glass of wine or craft beer and you are good to go!

 
I'd say these two are happy campers on pizza night.
 
What's your favorite kind of pizza?
 
What's your favorite food themed night at your house?
 
 
Work out 5/6- XT, weights
 
elliptical- 30 minutes
free weights/machines- 30 minutes