Sadie Graduated!!

Our little girl is growing up so fast!

Wednesday night was our last dog training class for Sadie.

 

We enrolled Sadie in an 8-week beginner obedience training through our local PetsMart. Each class was 1-hour and there were about 8 other dogs in the class. The cost was $100. We got $20 off because we got Sadie through an adoption event that was held at that PetsMart, so we paid $80 for the 8-week course. We also got a coupon book which includes a free nail trimming ($10 value), among other things. So, it wasn't cheap... but, we'll definitely use some of those coupons, so it wasn't TOO bad. Not really too much else to say about the class... I wish there weren't SO many dogs in the class and that it had been in a more enclosed area so there were less distractions. Overall, I'd say it was worth it and I'd suggest it to someone else, but I don't think I'd do it again for another dog... rather, I'd just use the knowledge I gained and self-train.

 

So, back to class... each week we covered a different area(s): barking, loose leash walking, sit, lay, roll over, play dead, hand shake, stay, an obstacle course, and take it/leave it.

 

 

 

Sadie was totally not into any of the training during the actual classes... waaaaay too much distractions and things to do and smell, but it was good that the Hubs and I learned things and then we'd go home and practice with her.

 

She seemed to get sit, lay, and even a little hand shake. Girl wanted NOTHING to do with roll over or play dead. She doesn't "take" things-- like at all-- so, the whole leave it/take it thing was a lost cause. She also doesn't bark... pretty much ever... so, barking was nothing to work on.  The loose leash walking was our biggest issue and the one we really wanted to learn how to do... but, alas-- Sadie just isn't having it. We bought a special harness thing recommended by the trainer which helps a TON, but we only use that for longer walks. She still pulls like a beast when we don't use it, but at least now we have an option for longer walks.

 

Anyway-- class ended this Wednesday. She "graduated" and everything!

 

 

We're so proud of our little girl!! 

Yup, she even got a little graduation cap, which she was NOT a fan of and tried to get off like crazy the second we put it on her.

She's too cute for words. Love the girl. We're proud puppy owners! :)

And, yes-- we proudly have her certificate displayed on our refrigerator now. Duh.

WIAW

Breakfast: 9am

Greek yogurt with a couple handfuls of FiberOne cereal.

 

 

 Lunch: 1:30pm

Typical. Boring. Sandwich with a low-fat bun with 3 slices of low-fat salami and yellow mustard, low-fat cheese stick, carrots, gala apple.

 

 Dinner: 6:30pm

Baked chicken (garlic powder, butter, panko bread crumbs), green beans, and a baked sweet potato with some mini marshmallows and a spoonful of brown sugar.

 

 

Dessert: 8pm

Dark chocolate raspberry WW ice cream bar. Yuuuuum.

Thus another exciting episode of WIAW is over.

 

Happy Wednesday.

That Time I Accidently Ran 17 Miles on a Monday

I know you aren't going to believe this, but it was an accident. Promise.

The day started out innocently enough. 4:55am alarm went off and the LAST thing I wanted to do after a night of tossing and turning was get up, but I took my own advice, told myself I had no other option and was up.

I got to the gym by my normal 5:30am and since there are no group fitness classes on Monday's and since my legs were feeling mighty fresh after last weeks milage dip, I decided to hit the ol' t-mill for a run. I had no real plan in mind. I just kinda adjusted the speed every 30 seconds or minute (hey, I get bored quickly and easily)  to keep things interesting.

This looks much messier and broken up than it really was. See, after the first mile I had to jump off and run to the bathroom. Then, when I got back "my" treadmill wasn't open anymore. Seriously. It was 5:30am! There were only like 2 people in the whole gym and this person had to go and jump on my machine??? Come on now! Anyway-- so, then I did 2 more. Then, my machiene became open, so I jumped over and did 4 more. Then, I was going to be done. It was my normal time to get ready for work. I stopped the treadmill and took a swig from my water bottle. Then, something took over me and before I really knew what was happening I was doing 1 more mile. I'm telling you, something took over me. Anyway- those miles FLEW by. 8 miles before 8am. LOVE.

So, then my lunch hour came. I didn't have a TON of time... 60 minutes, including time to change and to get back to my office. I was going to do the elliptical. I swear. I was. But, they were all taken. What's a girl to do? I had my iPad with me, so I didn't want to do the track, so I hit the treadmill. I started an episode of Dawson's Creek and assumed I'd do like 3 miles and call it a day.  

 

Somehow that happened. Seriously. I was so out of it, I didn't even realize what was happening. The episode ended 42 minutes later and I was almost at 5 miles so I called it at 5 and then RACED to the locker room and back to my office. Good thing I don't mind a dry-shampoo and baby wipe "shower".

Yes, this is from December, but it was FAR too classic to never share. My true friends know me so well.

 

I was pretty stoked at this point. 13 miles for a Monday?? Excellent!

 

Then, mother nature had to go and butt in.

This doesn't give a good picture, but I forgot to take a pic of the forecast (who knew it was so hard to find yesterday's forecast online?!?!), so this'll have to do. See that high?? 46-freaking-degrees. In February. Plus, it was sunny with little wind. Simply too good to pass up. I mean-- really. What kind of dog-owner would I be if I didn't take Sadie out for a while in that weather???

 

So, after work-- out we went. The Hubs was working late, so it was me and her. I swear, I only planned on 2 miles of run/walking. VERY relaxed. I swear. Somehow, Sadie had different plans.

 

She was LOVING it and I was having a great time with her and had nothing else to do. My legs actually felt surprisingly fresh still, so I just went with it. Girl was FLYING... for her. I mean, we averaged a 9:35 mile/pace WITH sevvvveral stop-and-sniff-everything-like-crazy stops.

So, if you're doing the math... 8 AM miles + 5 Lunch miles + 4 PM miles equals...

 
The Hubs got home about 45 minutes after Sadie and I did. Just enough time for me to give Sadie a bath (it was pretty muddy/snowy out there and girl got crazy dirty) and have leftovers for dinner. Then, I spent the rest of the night curled up with the Hubs on the couch watching TV with a ginormous hug of hot chocolate with far, far too many mini-marshmallows in it. Perfection.

And that ends the story of how I accidentally ran 17 unplanned miles on a random Monday.

Totally normal, right???

Weekly Workout Recap (2/18-2/24)

(source)

 

Weekly Workout Recap (2/18-2/24):

Monday, 2.18: 50 minute elliptical (kinda an active rest day)

Tuesday, 2.19: 60-minute Signature Strength class & 2.5 miles & 4.5 miles (speed intervals) & 15 minute elliptical

Wednesday, 2.20: 60-minute Spinning class

Thursday, 2.21: 6 miles (speed/hill)

Friday, 2.22: Rest

Saturday, 2.23: 3 mile run, 60-minute Unleashed class

Sunday, 2.24: 3.33 mile walk w/ Hubs and Sadie

 

Totals for Week:

16 miles running

65 minutes on elliptical

1 Spinning Classes

1 Signature Strength Classes

1 Unleashed Class

3.33 mile walk

 

 

I got nothing. I can't even believe how low my milage was this week. I'd love to offer some grand explanation or even blame the weather, but I have neither. Truth is, Sunday the weather was almost perfect for a long run. And, Saturday I had PLENTY of time at the gym... I just didn't feel like it. Sunday night the Hubs and I were watching some movie and there was a scene when they were running and the Hubs asked if I was jealous (b/c any time I see a runner I usually get jealous that they're running and I'm stuck doing x, y, z) and I honestly wasn't even a little. I didn't WANT to run last week. So, I didn't. SIMPLE. Don't worry... I already ran 8 Monday morning, so this little running-hate didn't last long. I'm back to my normal self already. Goes to show... when you don't feel like running, don't run. I mean- not ALWAYS. But, definitely don't FORCE it. Takes the fun away. And, the fun comes back. Promise.

15 Thing Friday

1. I am addicted to this shit. It’s like freaking crack. I seriously cannot get enough.

2. Yup, still on a full-blown Dawson's Creek obsession. Just finished Season 2. I didn't realize this when I watched it when I was like 16, but OMG, Dawson's SUCH a whiney little boy. I wanna punch him like 95% of the time he talks.

 

3. Who is wearing this?!?!? And, paying almost $50 for this?? Ewwwww. Come on, Gap. You can do better than this.

4. Sign up for the Chicago Marathon opened (and likely sold out) this week. I can't lie and say I didn't have to physically stop myself from going to the website and typing in my credit card number. I mean-- I know i don't WANT to sign up... but, I kinda do. But, I don't. But, I do. But, I really don't. Really.

 

 

5.  WOAH. Speaking of the Chicago Marathon, registrations a hot mess, huh??

SO glad this didn't happen last year. I would have freaked the F out for sure. I hope the issues get solved quickly and that it doesn't screw up too many people's plans.


6.  Interesting article... Do you scare yourself? Who would cry at your funeral? Do I spend money instead of time? Interesting indeed.


7. I bought a box of this because I had a coupon last week.

It's actually surprisingly OK. I wouldn't say GOOD... but, definitely OK. I throw a handful of cereal into my Greek yogurt every morning for breakfast and this gives a good crunch and adds a suttle chocolate flavor, all for less calories than most cereals (even Special K, a "diet" cereal, has 120 calories for the same serving size) and more fiber than most (Special K has 3g fiber, though to be fair it does also have 1 more gram of protein than this FiberOne cereal does). I'd buy it again.


8. Yet another interesting article.

Is more always better?As a self-proclaimed sweat-junkie, it's interesting to think that LESS exercise might be better than MORE.



9. Song of choice this week: Restless Heart by Matt Hires. I got it for free (did you know iTunes has 1 "Single of the Week" each week that you can download for free?) and I am OBSESSED. Love, love, love. 

10. Bad celebrity look of the week: (source)

Oh, Vanessa Hudgens. You're a hot mess. How did you think that dress was at all flattering? Nooooo.


11. Good celebrity looks (I figured let's do 2 of the good-- ever the optimist) of the week: (source) 

While I think Ashley Benson (left) is FAR overdressed for that event, I still love the dress. And, Kate Beckinsale (right) looks amazing in all white.


12.  I'm having lunch today with one of my old supervisors from Grad School. I can't believe it's been over 4 years since I graduated grad school. Time just freaking flies, huh?

(For the record, no I didn't wear jeans to the ceremony... I think it was raining the day of the ceremony or something so we didn't take pics that day, so this is the next day. Anyway- how stinking cute is my nephew walking next to me in that pic? He looks like he's walking like such a tough guy. I love it. I'm kinda obsessed with that kid. Like, a lot.)

 

13.  Speaking of food... I made a pretty BA, random dinner last night, if I do say so myself.

Pizza Quinoa Muffins! RANDOM, yes. Delicious, YES. I based the recipe on this, but "based" is a very loose term. Basically, I cooked up 1 cup of Quinoa. Then, mixed that (once it cooled a bit) with 1 egg, 1 egg white, a pinch of reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese, a heaping sprinkle of red-fat parm cheese (the fancy kind from the plastic green jar), some (notice, I don't really measure... sorry) dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, &onion salt, 2 minced garlic cloves, and some left over cooked sausage. Then, pack spoonfuls into muffin tin (which was sprayed with cooking spray). Cook at 350* for about 18-20 minutes. Serve with pizza sauce on side for dipping. YUM!


14. I won a blog giveaway! WOOWOO! This is the 3rd thing I've won on random blogs... I won some protein drinks, a pair of Mizuno shoes (best win evvver!!), and now 2 fancy head bands from Sweaty Bands off the Coffee Cake and Cardio blog. Thanks, Ashley!!!

As you can probably guess, the ones on the left are the 2 fancy, cute new ones I received. The kinda sad, ugly looking one on the right is one of the ones I use basically everyday that I bought legit like 4 years ago for $5 for a pack of 10 from Wal-Mart or something. My old ones work awesome, but they're not exactly cute. The Sweaty Bands ones looks super cute and work. Win, win! Thanks, Ashley!!!


15. And since no "15-Thing Friday" post could be complete without a picture of Sadie, let's go ahead and end with that, shall we?

We only have 1 more class left of obedience school! Our little girl is getting so big!! She graduates (complete w/ a cap!) this Wednesday. Time just flies. :)

Cookie Dough for 1

Thank goodness it's Thursday. This week has been BRUTAL.

True to form, after my post about getting up in the morning and working out I most definitely didn't get up this morning and go to the gym. I honestly don't even remember making the decision and turning my 4:55am alarm off and the 6:40am alarm on. Like, legit no memory. I must've been more than half asleep. Anyway- so, I didn't go. Just like that. I did, however, get up yesterday morning and go. That's 2 of the 4 mornings so far this week. I'll call that a win. And, I plan to go tomorrow. Double win.

Since I didn't get my booty outta bed this morning, it was imperative that I drag my ass over to the gym at lunch and get something in. I wasn't really feeling running, but knew I needed to get some miles in. Last week I hit 40 miles and before today my total this week was all of 7. Ouch. Anyway, I already did 1 speedwork session this week, so I decided today to do kinda a mix of more speedwork (ala intervals) and a little hill work too.

I am so, so, so glad I have access to both a treadmill and an indoor track so easily. Best job perk ever.

In other news, my eating habits have been less than stellar lately. Every night after dinner I get the biggest sweet tooth and crave something sweet. I legit Gooled "Recipes for Cookie Dough for 1" the other night.

Not only did I Google it, I also made it and devoured it. Btw, it was delicious. Definitely dangerous too. Now all I can think about is COOKIE DOUGH, COOKIE DOUGH, COOKIE DOUGH all. day. long. I'm outta control. Hopefully today I can reign it back in a bit. We'll see.

Anyway, that's all I got today. Boring, I know.

How to Get Up Early to Workout

I reallllllly didn't wanna get out of bed this morning. Reasons?

1. It's freaking COLD. It "felt like" 6* AFTER my workout this morning.

I'm sure at 5am it was even colder. And, the bed is just SO warm. Especially with the Hubs still snoring away. At least it wasn't snowing. That's a plus.

2. I'm kinda in a gym/workout rut. I've introduced speed work and some hill work, which definitely helps... but, I'm just not really feeling MOTIVATED lately. Like, I haven't WANTED to workout in a while. I do it. I never dread it. I almost always like it when I'm actually doing it. But, I haven't had that fire under my ass in a while. Maybe it's just a little burn out? We'll see. Hopefully it's just a phase and it passes soon.

3. I couldn't sleep last night. Tossed and turned all night. Hate that. Usually I sleep like crap Sunday nights after a weekend, but this week Sunday I was OUT and last night sucked. Weird. My body's revolting.

4. I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO.


I mean, I guess that's really the only reasons. No fancy or eloquent way else to say it. I just didn't want to.

But, I did. Sometimes you just gotta suck it up and do it, even when you don't want to.

(source)

60-minute Signature Strength class (luckily, the focus was on arms and abs) and 2.5 miles on the TM. DONE.

Not much else to that story. I'm glad I went. I still know I didn't want to, but I'm glad I did.

So, how do I get myself to workout (especially in the morning) even when I realllllllly don't want to? I'm by no means an expert and often times bail on workouts myself, but here's how I manage...

(source)

1. Probably the biggest make-it or break-it factor for me and getting up at 4:55am to workout is my mental game. If I let myself think for even 1 second the night before that it's OK if I don't get up the next morning, for whatever reason ("if I don't sleep well", "if I promise to go at lunch", etc.) there's like a 95% chance I will not get up. I have to not even let the thought cross my mind. There is NO other option. I have to think of it like I HAVE to get up and go to the gym. Just as much as I HAVE to go to work or take Sadie out or whatever. HAVE to. No option. I don't let myself think maybe's or alternatives.

2. The second my alarm goes off, I turn it OFF and then tell myself "Ok, it's Tuesday. If you get up now, that's only 3 more mornings of waking up early before the weekend!" Somehow doing thinking about the fact that there's only X more early mornings that week helps.

3. Speaking of alarms-- NO SNOOZING! Part of this is easy because the Hubs is still asleep next to me and he'd be pisssssed if my alarm went off a billion times while we has still getting sleep. Part of this is if I snooze, I know I won't get up. It's just SO MUCH EASIER to just get up. The faster I get up, the less time my mind has to think about the fact that I'm SO TIRED and don't want to go and blah, blah, blah. I have to get up and moving and honestly even get out the door before my mind has a chance to know wtf my body is doing.

(source)

4. OK, the next two are specifically about getting up to workout early-- and, this is a no-brainer... but, I go to sleep early. Like, 9pm early. No joke. To get up before 5am, a early bed time is mandatory. Simple as that.

5. I prep EVERYTHING I need the night before. This helps me in the whole #3 thing-- not THINKING about ANYTHING that early. I have my outfit for work laid out, gym outfit laid out, lunch packed, gym bag packed and everything exactly where it needs to be.

6. I remind myself WHY I'm working out. Training for a marathon? Lose weight? Get healthy? Stress reliever? Whatever the reason-- telling myself it in my head over and over again seems to help. I also remind myself how much better I'll feel AFTER the workout. Because it's true. I pretty much ALWAYS feel a million times better after a workout. Reminding myself of that (while also doing everything else) seems to help sometimes.  

7. Schedule a workout you actually enjoy. Hate running? Why run then? There are a bazillion other workouts  you can do. Find the one you like. It makes it easier to get up and do it if you like what you're doing. Oh, and mix it up. Doing the same thing everyday gets old FAST. I love that Tu/Th I can go to Signature Strength and W/F I can go to Spinning. Helps spice things up and keeps things interesting.

7. JUST DO IT. Simple, right? But-- I mean... it's true. At the end of the day (or the start of the day?) sometimes you just gotta do things you don't wanna do. End of story.

Stop, drop, and roll

This about sums up my weekend...

The song "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys is playing on the radio.
 
Me: I love this song! It makes me run faster, like I'm on fire!
The Hubs: That shouldn't make you run faster. It should make you stop, drop, and roll.

He thinks he's soooooo funny. Ok, maybe he kinda is. Sometimes.

In other news, this weekend I also....

worked,

No one asked me for permission to blow their nose this time. Drat! I did get to read the newest Women's Running issue and inhaled some pretzel M&M's though.

ran and went to spinning,

 Saturday after proctoring the test I decided I'd just stay on campus and run at the campus gym. 5 miles in they start turning off all the TVs and I notice I'm the only person there. Turns out they closed at Noon. WHO CLOSES AT NOON??? Anyway, I had juuuust enough time to squeeze .5 more miles in if I BOOKED it. So, I did-- in 3:27!! I was dyyyying, but I made it through! I almost called it a day, but decided to just drive to my OTHER gym and get a few more in. There, I did 5.5 more to total 11 for the day. Done and done. Sunday I ran 4 and went to spinning, even though I loathe the Sunday spinning teacher. The things we do for a good sweat.

cooked,

Friday nights dinner: TJ's Chile Lime Chicken Burgers (SOOOO good) and a random Quinoa Mac and Cheese thing I got at TJ Max or something. Pretty good... even though I had to improvise not having milk... turns out plain greek yogurt mixed with water will do in a pinch. Who knew??

 

So, then Saturday I decide I want egg salad. I've NEVER boiled an egg. Ever. So, my friend Kara sent me a website with directions. I was SOOO nervous. Yes, I'm a freak.

 

 Turns out-- Kara was kinda right. It wasn't hard. They turned out great. I had a delicious (and easy!) egg salad (boiled eggs -- I pitched about 1/2 of the above egg's yolks-- and some light chipotle mayo we had. DONE.) for lunch all weekend and today! YUM!!

played with Sadie,

Lucky dog! One of my best friends, Mal, sent Sadie (OK, well technically the card said it was from Mal's dog, Hester) a puppy card! That was the card and it's made out of raw hide. SO cute!! Sadie wasn't sure about it at first, but then LOVED it. Thanks, Aunt Mal and Cousin Hester!!

and watched WAAAAY too much Dawson's Creek.

No pic to help you visualize this, but I think you can imagine what it looked like. Couch & TV. Done.

 

 

Exciting stuff, huh?