I’m a Popular Kid & Outside Yoga

Oh my goodness!! Where does the time go?! I feel like I haven’t seen you guys in forever!!!  What have you been up to?! 

I’ve been doing the same old thing… working and trying to workout a few nights a week!  I’m pretty tired today, so I’m kind of just lounging around… not really doing any cleaning or laundry today… I’ll save that for tomorrow! ;)  I did go get my haircut this morning and then met my mom at the grocery store to catch-up and she invited me over to have lunch with her and my dad.  We had fish, rice, baked beans, and asparagus… it was delicious!! I also had a donut.. a long john to be exact… it was absolutely amazing and I don’t regret anything!! ;) haha!  What did you have to eat today?

I few exciting things have happened since we’ve last hung out… (and I know I still haven’t told you all about my road trip during spring break… it’s coming! I promise!)

~1~

I’ve been getting outside more and more for my workouts… including a little park bench yoga! ;)

~2~

I reached (and exceeded) 500 followers on Instagram!! I feel like a popular kid…You guys rock!

~3~

Won a fun giveaway!  Now I just need to decide what I want from Athleta.. any recommendations?

~4~

Hit a yoga move I’ve never been able to do before!! (Proof that success does indeed come from failure! Story is on this video in IG)

 

~5~

Finally got a new laptop battery and charger and I don’t have to run from outlet to outlet like a Tasmanian Devil anymore! For real!

~BONUS~

Came across a few sales you guys might enjoy! :)

FuelBelt

Oiselle

PowerBar

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!!!

Friday Faves Hosted by Five for Friday

Hello R-Luckies!! Welcome to my Friday Faves brought to you by Five For Friday!! ;)

1. My Workout on Monday was probably one of my favorite workouts this year! Everything was just clicking and I felt great physically and mentally!

I warmed up by walking, then I ran 1.51 miles in 17:45 (11:45/mile)
I also did some other weights and stuff, but I was super happy with how I felt during the run!! I’m coming back people!!

 

I also held my longest handstand EVER!!! No wall!! Check it out on Instagram!!  I’m so proud of my 3 second handstand! haha!
If you’d like to see the video, just click on the picture below!

 

Then I came home and ate a favorite meal… chicken cordon bleu casserole with a salad and cottage cheese
while watching a favorite show… Wheel. of. fortune!!! (read that like they announce it on tv! haha)

  

2. My favorite giveaways right now and I’m not biased or anything lol ;)

3. The weather today is gorgeous!!! You better believe I’m getting out there today!!  My favorite workouts happen outside!!

4. Nuun is my favorite electrolyte drink and they just came out with their new Energy drink!
Why yes… I did just buy a sampler pack lol… I couldn’t help myself!! Look at that awesome bottle!

 

5. My favorite down time right now is watching Lost.  I finished season 1 of and can’t wait to get started on the 2nd season!!  Any Lost fans out there?

 

What are some of your favorites this week/weekend??!!

YES! YES! YES! And Friday Randoms

Hey friends!! I can’t believe it’s been a week since we’ve last hung out!!  Life gets super crazy sometimes!!  Which is why you get a life update in bullet points… isn’t that your favorite?! ;)

___________________________________________________________________

1.  Have you ever had someone you really look up to …. oh let’s say like the upbeat, optimistic person who always wins 1st overall in all the local 5ks… ask you to work out with them??!!  I have!!

At first (I was afraid I was petrified…) I was like:

Then I realized she was serious!

 

Of course I said:

She paid to have me come as a guest to her gym… I’ve never been to an actual gym gym before!  (My old college doesn’t count) So yesterday I met up with her and we did about 1 1/2 hours of arms and abs… IT. WAS. GREAT!!  She was fun to hang out with and it was so much fun to workout with someone other than myself! She kicked my butt!!  I am indeed sore today!

2. I got a couple fun packages in the mail last week… can’t wait to share them with you!! Look for a couple reviews and a giveaway in the next week or two!

 

3. Just in case it is ever in question, I do in fact work hard and earn my pay at work! ;) Yes that IS playdough… why do you ask?! ;)

4.  I made it on to the Top 100 Running Blogs list for 2014!! (I’m #83) Holy Guacamole!! I feel honored to be listed with so many other great bloggers that I look up to!  Who would be on your top 100?

5.  Some seniors at the school at work for came around and handed out these flowers.  The pot says they are Azaleas but one of the other teachers insisted that it was a Geranium… Do any of you have any opinions or know what it is?  I do not have a green thumb…

 

6.  I was invited to be a guest over on Alicia’s Blog, Never Ever Been Skinny.  Go check it out!! :) 

7.  I haven’t watched ANY of the Winter Olympics this year… not even a minute!! Does that make me a bad person?  Go USA! lol.. have you been watching?  What’s your favorite event?

8.  I have some exciting news!! Can’t wait to share an update with you all on my dream becoming a reality!! :)

What are some randoms from your week?

Foodie Friday: Sweet & Salty Rolo Snack (Super Easy) + Link-up

I was craving a sweet and salty snack and managed to come across this super delicious, super easy, 2-ingredient recipe on pinterest! 

What you need:

      1. Ritz crackers
      2. Rolos

What you do:

      1. Pre-heat oven to 325*
      2. Lay crackers on a baking sheet, salty side down
      3. Unwrap Rolos candy and put one in the middle of each cracker
      4. Place in oven for about 2 1/2 – 3 min (enough time for the candy to become soft)
      5. Take out of oven and place another cracker on top (salty side up)  pressing gently to  
          flatten candy
      6. Let cool and enjoy!! :)

Original Pin HERE
The pictures on this blog post are mine that I took while making this snack.

It’s Finally FRIDAY!

 

Found this on google search… Yep, I google everything!

 

It’s finally Friday!  This week was the last week of regular classes and my last day of my internship for the semester was yesterday.  I signed up for an 11 hour day because I LOVED my internship and never wanted it to end!  I may or may not have cried a little on my way home around 9 o’clock last night!  BUT this means that I only have 2 Finals standing between me and Christmas break where all I’ll be doing is subbing as many days as possible before the kids go on Christmas Break AND… Starting the process of getting BACK into shape!

You guessed it… googled ;)

I LOVE Christmas! It’s my favorite time of year!! :)  That’s why I hold the Christmas Card Swap every year!!  Don’t forget to sign up!!! You’ve got about 12 hours or so left. (when I wake up tomorrow)  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP AND JOIN THE FUN!! :)  I’ve got a few emails to catch up on so if you’re name isn’t on the list yet, don’t fret! :)  I’ll be working on that right after I post this!!

 

What are you looking forward to?
  - Christmas break for sure! :)

Have you ever had to get “back” into shape? 
  - Yep… there now, it is NOT fun!  Other things are just prioritized right now and I’ve come to terms with that.

Are you racing this weekend?  Running and Christmas themed races?

Five For Friday (and a winner)

1. Wowsa… this time is so busy, but I LOVE Christmas time… It’s my favorite time of year!! :)  Mostly because our whole family is together during Christmas and we have LOTS of good memories of Christmas growing up… 

 

2.  I’ve been busy baking (recipes to follow)

 

 

3. AND… wrapping gifts

 

4. I know this is supposedly a running/workout blog (mainly)  with a hosh posh of other things… Well mostly its been mainly just hosh posh lately and the reason is because I haven’t really been working out a lot lately… I’ve tried to change that around this past week and have been doing a new workout DVD to try to get my mojo, passion, or whatever you want to call it, back.. more to come on that later too…

 

5.  The winner of my athletic giveaway featuring Anti Monkey Butt and Stopain according to random.org is…

#11 -

 

Congrats Christine!! Email me your info and I will forward it on! :)

 

I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season and not getting wrapped up in all the hustle and bustle but able to spend time with family and loved ones and remember what Christmas is all about! :)

Five For Friday

1. I’m a Refuel With Chocolate Milk Grant Finalist!!  Please vote for me! You can vote for one person a day, everyday from now until November 15th… I know you’re probably getting tired of me recruiting your votes, but we’re halfway there and I could sure use the grant :)                                                       Thanks for the votes!! :)

2. Don’t forget to enter my Go Girl Sports Vortex Shirt giveaway! Ends 11/4… ENTER HERE

3. Remember THIS POST where I told you all that I had quit my job?  Well… I didn’t want to say anything until I had actually worked a few days and knew that I actually had one, but …
I HAVE A JOB!!!  I am now a substitute teacher for about 7 schools in the surrounding county and I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!  I’ve worked as an ESL teacher (English as a Second Language), a 3rd grade teacher, and an MH Aide (Working with kids who have a Mental Handicap of some sort) to name a few of my favorites. :) This job is so much more rewarding and less stressful than my previous job, and I pretty much get to pick my work schedule and where I want to work.

4. School… I have mixed feelings… I enjoy the classes and that I’m finally actually going to school for what I want to do for the rest of my life (ASL Interpreting), but one of my classes is really kicking my butt… I don’t know why, but my brain just fogs up… I get all the terminology and concepts, and it’s not like I’m getting bad grades… I actually have an A in the class… but for some reason my mind just feels foggy and slushy when I’m studying or doing a project… Yeah… Personal sharing at it’s finest ;)

Sign for Interpret

5. I AM working on a Columbus Marathon race recap for you, I promise!! lol… Hope to have it up in the next week :)  (school comes first) ;)  Here’s proof that I actually did finish… in case you were having doubts ;)

BONUS:  3 people have gotten to my blog by Google searching “dress butt poof” lol… yeah… no comment ;)

Garmin Greatness

 

Yesterday I RAN OUTSIDE for the first time this year lol… it was fabulous!!  I also got to use my Garmin for the first time and I LOVE it!  I just need to figure out all the bells and whistles now lol, here’s my excited I finally have a Garmin picture:

Please ignore the mess… I had just gotten home from work and threw all my stuff down to hurry up and get outside before it got dark… but don’t ignore that little date back there on my dry erase board… WEDDING DAY!!! lol… speaking of which… I’ve lost 3 followers!!  I’m sorry if all my wedding talk has offended anyone… ok, I'm really not, cuz I'm so excited and WANT to talk about getting married on June 25, 2011!! lol ;)  Ok.. screen shot of the Garmin:

Then later last night my wonderful fiancé came to my house after he got out of class to surprise me because I had had a rough day at work.  He brought me colorful daisies (daisies are my favorite flower), Reeses cups, and a card to brighten my day!  Isn’t he so thoughtful?!  I can’t wait to marry him this summer!  He’s seriously the best! 

           

Needless to say, I am one blessed chic to have such a
wonderful man in my life…

141 days left!!

Frightful Friday

ok, so… I just got back from running (no I didn’t go this morning.. we switched our plans to tomorrow morning 7am)  and I can’t help but think that my run deserves a blog post.

I got all bundled up in my “winter gear” and headed outside totally in the mood for a great run!  It’s the coldest I’ve run in so far but it felt so refreshing!!  I was going to take my favorite route and headed down the lane when I saw those 3 dreaded dogs just waiting for me to come by so they could snap at my calves and heels…  I immediately turned around and headed the other direction.

“That’s ok” I thought  “A few more hills should be fun!”  and off I went!

I felt like I was running at a decently fast pace and I was really enjoying my run and battling up those hills was like a game to me… After each hill I conquered, I did a little fist pump at the top before running towards the next one…
childish? maybe.. fun? definitely!  ;)

I turned around when I decided it was getting too dark and that’s when it happened… my “perfect run”  turned into just a “good run”  … I got some side cramps.  But they usually go away pretty quickly so I powered through it and decided it wasn’t going to ruin my fun!

Not even a minute after my cramps went away, I started up a hill and halfway up, I passed a line of trees…

OUT OF NOWHERE COMES THIS ST BERNARD… running right towards me, barking so loudly!!!  If you’ve been following me for a while now, you know i HATE dogs!!!  Right away my vision started getting blurry, the blood drained from my face, and my muscles tensed up, I got an instant headache and kept saying
“go home”
“stay”
“good dog”
“go home”
“stay”

I felt like I was going in slow motion…  yes, for all you new followers, I’m deathly afraid of dogs… I try to act like I’m not, but all that flies out the window when you have a huge mass of 200 pounds running AT you!!

That’s when it really started going downhill… literally and figuratively… I made it to the other side of the hill and the dog finally went back home and I tried so hard to relax but I think my fear and adrenaline really did a number on my tummy!  I felt terrible!  like I was going to throw up or go to the bathroom and I kept telling myself that I really needed a Road ID and to start running with my phone.  What if something would’ve happened and that dog KILLED me and mauled my face?!  no one would be able to tell who I was or who to call… ugh!! Stupid dogs!  ok… maybe that last part… about the mauling… was a bit dramatic…

My tummy problems persisted and I had to run/walk the rest of the way home… I thought I was for sure gonna be a mess by the time I made it back home, but luckily I was not!  I made it in one piece and was never so happy to be home!!  This is my “I survived” pose:

Don’t mind my crazy hair, I think it has a mind of it’s own.  AND Yes, I have a “dog”, but he’s not really a dog… he’s a 7 year old puppy lol ;)  Look how cute he is!  all 7 lbs of him!  I probably wouldn’t mind if all dogs were Gabriel’s size! haha!

So yeah… that was my nice, relaxing, fun run turned stressful, run for my life and survive, run lol… are any of you deathly afraid of dogs? Or am I the only one?  How do you deal with dogs while you’re running? Especially BIG dogs!?