Nuun: Hood to Coast

By now I'm sure all you blog stalkers out there know all about the fact that applications for Nuun's Hood to Coast team were out and the deadline has now past. Bigger news? NO repeat Nuun-ers are being taken back on their team, which leaves rooms for lots of newbies.

Which newbies??? Well, maybe me! That's right-- I applied.

<Side note: No idea what Nuun is? Definitely check them out! And then go buy a tube. My favorite flavor is grape, but I guess you can try whatever kind you want. I guess.>

<Side note 2: No idea what Hood to Coast is? It's an AMAZING 197-mile relay race from Mt. Hood down the Oregon coast that I would give my left nut anything to run. It looks AMAZING. Hello. You run down a mountain. SIGN ME UP.>

Anyway-- I haven't said anything about it because I'm kinda shy (Woah-- me?!?! Shy?!?! Kinda. Sometimes. This time.) about it. Anyway-- I applied!

I wasn't sure if I wanted to apply... I mean, I love to run and I love Nuun and I would LOOOOOVE to run H2C, but I just wasn't sure. I guess I doubted I'd get on the team. Then, I decided--- WHATEVER! You never know if you don't try. So, I'm trying!

To apply you needed:

1. Have not run Hood to Coast with Nuun in the past CHECK!
2. Are female Um... yeah, got that one covered-- CHECK!
3. Have an active blog CHECK!
4. Love Nuun CHECK! CHECK! CHECK!
5. Are really fun! CHECK! CHECK! CHECK! CHECK! CHECK! I mean... I'm just saying... I'm totally fun. Totally.

I don't have the biggest blog (obviously), but you never know where life may take you and I didn't want to at least thrown my name in the hat. So, I applied!

You can go here to check out my video application if you want and if you promise you won't make fun of me. Deal? I mean, I look like a spaz, but what else is new, right!?!!?

The blogger's selected to run on Nuun's H2C team are supposed to be announced next week, so wish me luck!! Good luck to all those other bloggers who applied!!

Weekend: Chicago is WINDY!

Hi!!!!

It's Tuesday already! Can you believe it?? I've had 1 too many cups of coffee this morning, so this post might be WAY too hyper. Consider yourself warned and stop reading now!

So, this weekend I went to Chicago for one of my very best friend's bachelorette party (round 1... round 2 is in a few weeks) and bridal shower!!

I took off Friday right after work and was crazy surprised not to hit ANY good ol' rush hour traffic. 

Don't worry, Hubs-- I was stopped when I took this pic. I PROMISE. I didn't text or do anything on my phone the WHOLE drive.

 

 

It was actually a super nice day, so the drive was nice.

 

The party started at 6:30pm CST, but since that's 7:30pm EST (my time zone) I knew I wouldn't make it without a little snack.

 

Try these. They're good. ALMOST like a candy bar. I don't really think ANY granola bar tastes JUST LIKE A SNICKERS (or any other candy bar), but this is a close second. And, even if it doesn't taste like a snickers, it's still damn good.

 

Anyway-- I got to the party in PLENTY of time (again-- thanks to no traffic). The rest of Friday night was spent bachelorette partying it up! A few too many glasses of wine, LOTS of great food, and ammmmmazing friends. Love, love, love.

 

I have pretty much NO appropriate pictures to show, except this one.

Our ONE "nice" pic of the night where we're not acting like lunatics. The bride is in the middle. LOVE these girls.

 

All the rest of the pics from this night may or may not have a blow up doll in them. I can neither confirm nor deny.

 

I stayed with one of the other bridesmaids, who also happens to be one of my BFF's too (in the yellow in the pic above). She and I got back to her house WAY too late and I crashed immediately.

 

I was up the next morning bright and early and out the door by 8am to head downtown. I had BIG plans. See, the bridal shower wasn't scheduled til Sunday and the friend I was staying with had ANOTHER shower that Saturday for her cousin. So, I had ALL DAY Saturday free. What's a girl to do??? RUN!

 

I got downtown and got off Lake Shore Drive at Montrose Beach and immediately found FREE parking! SCORE. I was a little nervous for the run because Mother Nature wasn't looking the happiest...

Rain and windy? Oh yay.

 

I set out and immediately got hit with that wind. HOLY COW. I heard later wind gusts were over 20mph that morning. I felt like I was running in place it was so strong. But, I kept running. It was a BEAUTIFUL day, minus the whole wind thing. The temps were pretty perfect and there were a TON of people running all over.

 

 

I LOVED the change of scenery. It made the run FLY by. I started at Montrose Beach and ran to Navy Pier. This whole leg was AGAINST the wind.

Told you-- WIND. Check out that hair. WOAH.

I didn't look at my Garmin the whole time. I felt like I was CRAWLING and going ridiculously slow and just didn't want to see it on the watch. I also didn't bring any fuel or water.... whoops. I did find 1 working water fountain, so got a drink once... but, that was it. Not the smartest move I've ever made, but I survived.

Anyway, I turned around at Navy Pier and finally had the wind to my back, though I swear the wind died down a bit the whole way back.

 

Ok-- maybe not. PS- are my eyes even open in this pic?!?!

 

Anyway-- I finished 13.5 miles in 2:03:45 for a 9:09 average pace. Definitely my slowest run in a while, but I did still manage to get the half in under 2:00, so I was OK with it. When I checked out my splits later I found out the half against the wind were all 9:15+, while the half with the wind were all 8:45ish. Thanks, wind.

 

After the run I changed clothes (in the car... NICE!) and did a SUPER quick babywipe down and then walked to meet two of my former staff members from when I worked at my previous job. LOVE them and it was SOOOOO GOOD to get to meet them for lunch and catch up. It was about a mile walk to the place we met, so it was a nice shake out for the legs too. After lunch I made it back to my car (another mile walk!) and then fought some nasty traffic back to my friends house.

 

The rest of Saturday night was spent running some last minute gift-errands, dinner, and getting our b-shower games ready while watching Pitch Perfect (LOVE that movie!!). Oh, and there MAY have been s'mores. DELICIOUS.

 

 

Sunday was bridal shower run!

 

Congrats to the Bride-to-be!!! LOVE you girls!!!!

 

 

So, that was the weekend. Bachelorette party fun, a crazy windy long run, reunion lunch, s'mores and a chick flick, and a bridal shower. A crazy busy weekend, but so, so fun. Can't wait for the wedding in May!!!

Weekly Workout Recap: 4/1-4/7

I decided to do a video instead of a quote or pic. Look at me being all high tech. Woah.

Weekly Workout Recap (4/1-4/7):
Monday, 4.1: 45 minute Spinning Class & 2 miles & 1.5 miles
Tuesday, 4.2: 60 minute Signature Strength class & 2 miles & 2.25 miles & 30 minutes run/walk intervals
Wednesday, 4.3: 60 minute Spinning class & 2.75 miles
Thursday, 4.4: 60 minute Signature Strength class & 2.5 miles & 2 miles & 30 minutes run/walk intervals & 3 mile walk with the Hubs and Sadie (it was SOOOO nice out!!)
Friday, 4.5: 60 minute Spinning class (note: left for out of town immediately after work)
Saturday, 4.6: 13.5 mile Long Run along Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago-- LOVE IT!! 2 mile walk. (note: out of town)
Sunday, 4.7: 1 mile walk. Rest Day (note: out of town... got back early evening)

Totals for Week (4/1-4/7):
28.5Miles Run 
2Spinning Class
2 Signature Strength Class
60 Minutes Run/Walk Intervals
6 Miles Walked
1 Rest Day

You'll notice 2 sets of run/walk intervals this week. That's because I'm helping a co-worker do the Couch25K program! We started the program last week with just walking and this week we started the run/walk intervals. Each intervals was 5 minutes warm up walk, 60s run/90s walk repeated as many times as we could with the time frame we had, 5 minutes cool down walk. We definitely weren't running fast, but it was a nice change of pace and nice to have someone else there and to spread my love o' running. It's really cool to help someone who is JUST getting into it. It reminds me SO much of when I started and how much it freaking sucked!When my schedule allowed, I tried to get there a few minutes early for a few minutes of hard running on my own. I also got to more group classes at the gym this week than I have for the past few weeks. I sometimes forget just how much I looooove group fitness & spinning classes. I was definitely reminded this week. Also did a long run along Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago which was AWESOME, though hella windy. It was a great change of scenary and made the run go by SO fast!!

15 Thing Friday

1. I had Monday off this week and it was still a crazy, hella long week. I could not be happier it's freaking finally Friday. Took long enough to get here.

2. I want to eat these. ALL of these. Someone make them for me? Any takers?? I'm totally not joking.

(source)

 

 

3. You all know my love for Taylor Swift. It's no secret. Please go watch this video. That shit's funny.

 

 

4. Guess who went to Signature Strength TWICE this week?!?! THIS KID DID! I don't even know who I am. ANNNNND, the instructor came up to me, mid-class, and told me I was killing it and needed to go up in weight because it was too easy for me. WOAH. Goodbye 10 pound weights, hello 12. Well, at least for part of class... some of the time. Ok, ok-- I'm gonna try. But, HOT DAMN! Those 2 pounds legit make a difference! I had jello arms like all week and I kinda loved it.

 

 

5. This article. It's funny because it's true. 

 

 

6. It's a slooooow week for celebrity fashion, but here's one of the stand out looks for the week:

(source)

 

Love Keri Russel (FELICITY!!!) and am SO glad she's back on TV. I've heard nothing but amazing things about her new series (The Americans), though I haven't checked it out myself. Waiting for it to make it to Netflix Instant. Anyway-- the dress is HOT, but not revealing. Love the shoes with it. She just looks classy, while still smokin'.

 

 

7. Speaking of TV... I watched the entire season 5 of True Blood on OnDemand this weekend because they were having their all-shows-free all week last week. Legit, the whole season. Just when I think that can't get any more gross, BAM. It does. Yet, I keep watching. Me=Dumb. All I'll add... BILL, NOOOOOOOOO!!!! That's all I'll say.

(source)

 

 

8. Who is buying this dress??

Girl looks like she's wearing an apron. And, it's not even a little figure flattering. I'm not a huge pattern-mixer... but, even if I were-- this is taking it to a whole new level. Wtf?!?

 

 

9. While we're talking about clothes... I kinda love the idea of this outfit for work.



Clearly you can't see it all, but the basic idea of a slim fit, straight leg bright color pant with a patter shirt and then a classic jacket. Love, love, love. I still haven't had the guts to pull off the bright pants look. I did try some on at the Limited the other day... they were red and on super clearance and I actually LOVED them... but, they were a smidge too big and they didn't have them in a smaller size. Boooooo.

 

 

10. PLEASE go watch this adorable video of Kara Goucher (aka: my girl crush) and Shalane Flanagan. They are so cute.

(source)

 

 

11. I have two big programs going on at work Friday at the exact same time. It's going to be a really fun game of trying to be two places at once. Bring it.

 

 

12. Have you heard of the website http://www.sassysteals.com/ ? While I haven't actually bought anything from this site, it's amazing! Super cheap deals on super cute stuff. For example... does it get any cuter than this:

I don't even have kids and I want one! Little froggie rain coats!!! TOO cute!!! And, for $6?!?!? Anyway-- the site has tons of great deals of lots of random stuff. Purses, necklaces, shirts, kids stuff, picture frames, cell phone covers-- whatever. Check it out.

 

 

 13. Um, gross, Dunkin' Donuts. I will NOT be running on this.

(source)

This may look innocent enough... a bacon, egg sandwich. Yeah, except that it's made with a glazed donut bun. EWWWWW. Am I the only one that doesn't find that even a little appealing?!?!? Gross. PASS.

 

 

14. I'm heading to Chicago this weekend for one of my BFF's bachelorette party/bridal shower AND that means I get to see (& stay with! Thanks, M!!) our other BFF, too. BEYOND pumped!!!!!!

 

 

15. And, on that note... it's Friday. Finally.

(source)

 

 

 

I admit...

Am I the only one who ever feels like some running/healthy living/whatever bloggers sometimes come off as everything is always wonderful, each run feels like unicorns and sprinkles and sunshine, I ALWAYS eat perfectly healthy and organic and  I love chia seeds on everything and I call peanut butter a 'nut butter' and blah, blah, blah?? I could go on and on.

I'm OVER it.

I'm here to tell you-- life's not like that. No one is perfect. Well, maybe they are. But, I am not. So, here's my confessions to avoid any confusion for even 1 more second that I am one of THOSE bloggers... not that there was confusion, but ya know... let's clear things up before there's any confusion.

I admit...

-I pretty much NEVER set the incline on the treadmill at "at least 1% to simulate outdoor running". Never. Unless I'm doing a hill workout. Otherwise, that suckers at ZERO. I'll simulate outdoor running when I'm OUTSIDE.

Just an example... notice the BLANK spot next to the incline. That'd be the same as a big fat 0.0.

-I've never tried chia seeds. They look gross. I have no desire to try them and no plans to, either.


-I didn't know how to pronounce Quinoa properly. The Hubs had to find out the hard why (by mispronouncing it the way I had been saying it in public and getting corrected) and then educate me. Whoops.

Who knew they had YouTube videos all on how to pronounce Quinoa. Crazy.

-I "hate read" some blogs. I KNOW they annoy me. I know their seemingly perfect life bugs the shit outta me. I know when I read I'll yell at them in my head. But, I keep reading.


-I've never made a monster green smoothie that everyone SWEARS you can't taste the spinach. I kinda wanna try it just to prove everyone wrong when I CAN in fact taste the spinach, but haven't gotten around to trying it.


-I call complete BULLSHIT on about 80% of the "but-it-tastes-like-the-real-version" of healthy recipes. I still MAKE and EAT and even ENJOY a lot of healthified recipes. But, quit saying they taste just like the original version. They don't. And, whoever for 1 second believes black bean brownies taste like chocolate brownies is on CRACK.


-Some days I haaaaaate running. I don't want to do it. I don't want to sweat. I don't want to move. I don't want to do ANYTHING.

(source)

-I like to eat. Woah. I know. Maybe I should have warned you and had you sit before you read that. Food is freaking good. I cannot and will not survive on teeeeeeny, tinnnnny portions of nothing but whole food, gulten free, no carb, no sugar, bleah, bleah, bleah. I need sizable portions of food to live. Not ginormous portions, though sometimes I eat those too. I'm so sick of seeing pics on bloggers pages of their "OMG-- it was SO MUCH BIGGER THAN IT LOOKS" dishes. No it wasn't. It was 2 bites. That's all you're eating. I'm not you. I like to EAT.

There were MANY other choices of pictures of me shoving food in my face. Too many. Note to self: stop taking pictures while you're eating.

 

 

-Speaking of eating-- I eat regular, plain peanut butter. As in-- NOT 100% natural peanut butter. I know, I know. OOOOOMMMMMGGGGG. I very well may fall over and die from all the preservatives tomorrow. Truth be told-- I just can't stomach the kind that you have to stir and that has all that liquid on the top. It just grosses me out. I guess I could get the no-stir kind, but whhhhhy when this kind is SOOOOO GOOOOOOOD?!?!

-I never, NEVER call peanut butter a "nut butter". Nor do I call almond butter or hazelnut or whatever... I call NOTHING a nut butter. WTF is that anyway? How much harder is it to say ALMONDbutter than NUTbutter? Get over it.


-Sometimes I eat baked cheetos or ice cream while watching The Biggest Loser. All those "Do this workout while watching a show about working out and losing weight" workouts... yeaaaah. I never, never do them. Ever. Unless you count lifting your arm from bowl to mouth as a workout (which I do. duh.)

-Sometimes (a lot of times) I can only get it quick 2-ish mile runs during the week and then 1 long run on the weekends. Would I like to get a more substantial mid-week run in of say 6 or 7 or 8 miles? Sure. But, will I stop going to group fitness classes to do that? Not a chance. I know I should get a longer run in, but it's just not happening right.

 

WOAH! Look at that-- I even got a 4.5 mile run in at some point.  

 

 

-I've never been to a WholeFoods. Ok, that's not 100% true. For my job I got to visit our local WholeFoods to talk about employment opportunities for the students I work with, but it wasn't open yet (still isn't, actually). So, I've never been to an OPEN, functional WholeFoods. I've never eaten off the AMAZING, DELICIOUS (and PRIIIICEY, I imagine) hot foods bar or had one of their juices. Guess what? I'm still alive. Turns out you can in fact live without WholeFoods. EARTH SHATTERING news, I know.

 

 

 

I'm sure there are about a bazillion more, but I'll stop now while I'm ahead. Anyway-- I hope everyone knows no one you never see 100% of the whole story on any blog and that NO blogger is perfect. Even if they make you think they are.

An Average Day

Who doesn't love the chance to stalk a little? Well, here's your chance to stalk me! Below is a glimpse into a "normal" day for me (when I actually do get up and workout in the morning... which is about 3 of the 5 days a week right now). EXCITING stuff here, people. Brace yourself.


4:55am: Alarm clock goes off.

I curse, but only in my head so as to not wake the Hubs. I have no idea how, but he doesn't wake up to my alarm clock. Freak of nature. Anyway, I don't snooze or anything, but I do lay there for a solid 60-seconds trying to talk myself out of bed. But, finally I do get up. I pee, brush my teeth, change into my already set out gym clothes, grab my pre-packed gym bag and my pre-picked out work clothes, take Sadie out (we go to the end of our street for a quick 5-minute walk/pee-break), grab my pre-packed lunch and am out the door by 5:15am.

5:15-5:30am: Drive to gym. Try not to get stopped by every. single. light. but, it happens almost every morning. Maybe if I left 30 seconds later or earlier I'd miss them?

5:30-6:50am: Gym time! Tuesday-Friday that means either Spinning or Signature Strength and then usually 2-2.5 miles on the treadmill. Monday's are now usually rest days, but if I do go to the gym early, it's a run or elliptical.

6:50-7:30am: Locker room to shower/get ready. I take about a 5-10 minute shower and then do my hair, make-up, and change. I'm out the door of the gym by 7:30am.

7:30-7:45am: Commute to work. The Hubs always texts me during this time to ask how the gym went, to say good morning, and usually to tell me something about Sadie. Love those texts. Best Hubs ever.

Yes, we do still talk about her bowel movements this much. No, I'm not embarrassed. Not even a little. (Clearly this post was started a while ago, hence the date of those texts... but, if you think these same convo's don't still happen you clearly don't know me.)

7:45am-1pm(ish): Work! Well, first get a cup of coffee immediately after walking in the door.

Then, work. Most of my day consists of sitting at a desk either meeting with students or emailing or working on some administrative-type task. I also have lots of random meetings, do presentations on career-related topics at classes or club meetings, etc. Every day is different. Below is a sample week's calendar with appointments and meetings and such. The non-scheduled time is spent returning emails and working on projects.



9am(ish): And, yes- I know-- I already went through 1pm! Sue me. Anyway-- around 9am each day I eat breakfast at my desk. Usually a greek yogurt and some cereal mixed in.





1-2pm(ish): "Lunch". Almost everyday during my lunch hour I go to our campus gym and either run on the indoor track (below) or do the elliptical. My boss is super supportive, so he's cool if I'm gone for a smidge over an hour every now and then and with me eating my lunch at my desk after my "lunch hour".  

2pm(ish): Actually eat lunch! I eat left overs or a sandwich, an apple, and carrots almost every day. I legit scarf down lunch in about 5 minutes and then get back to work.

2:05pm-5pm (or 5:30pm, depending on the day of the week): Work, work, wooooork!

5-5:15pm: Rush home before Sadie goes crazy and makes a mess in her crate.

5:15-5:30pm: Take Sadie out for a walk. Usually this is just a pretty quick bathroom walk, but if the Hubs is working late, I may take Sadie for a longer walk now and push everything below to a bit later.

5:30-6pm: Prep everything for the next day. Make lunches for me and the Hubs (yes, I make his lunch everyday), unpack and re-pack my gym back, pick out clothes for the next day, etc.

That would be TWO gym bags... one for the AM and one for lunchtime. I do a lot of laundry.

6-9pm: Dinner, TV, if the weather's nice take Sadie on another walk, run an errand or two if needed, etc.

No, this isn't what I eat EVERY night for dinner...but, I'd say it is what I have for dinner at LEAST once every other week. For sure.

9pm: Bedtime. Yes, I go to bed at 9pm. I'm an old woman who gets up far before dawn and I need my rest. Don't judge.

Weekly Workout Recap (3/25-3/31)

(source)

Weekly Workout Recap (3/25-3/31):
Monday, 3.25: 40 minute elliptical and 15 minute stair climber and 2 mile walk
Tuesday, 3.26: 60 minute Signature Strength class & 2 miles on TM & 4.5 miles & 15 minute elliptical
Wednesday, 3.27: 60 minute Spinning  class & 2 mile walk
Thursday, 3.28: 2.5 mile walk & 1.5 miles on TM (hills)
Friday, 3.29: Rest
Saturday, 3.30: 15.5 mile long run & 3.5 mile walk with Sadie and the HubsSunday, 3.31: 3 mile walk with Sadie and the Hubs

Totals for Week (3/25-3/31):
23.5 Miles Run
1 Spinning Class
1 Signature Strength Class
15 Minutes on Stair Climber
55 Minutes on the Elliptical
13 Miles Walked
1 Rest Day

It wasn't the greatest week, but I did get a SOLID long run in on Saturday (15.5 miles w/ sub 9:00/mile average pace!), so I'll definitely take it. I also got a TON of walking in because I'm helping a co-worker do the Couch25K program, so I'm not running as much during my lunch hour, as last week we just walked and this week we're starting our run/walk intervals! LOVE helping get other people into running! :)