Booty up

Blogging has taken a back seat lately since I am trying to get ready for multiple trips coming up. I will only have 3 days once I get home from Key West to pull everything together for the Disney cruise. I can’t believe the cruise is almost here!! Excited!!

Me and Margarita Mickey!!

I have been slowly building my endurance back up. In addition to running, I am still doing the Pulse fitness class that I have become addicted to. There is definitely something to be said for squats and lunges. All the running I have done in the past and I have never saw the same results I am seeing now. Pulse has helped pull my booty up off the back of my legs and I love it!!!

The boy and I went to Indy for the weekend and I finally got a whole new stash of books. Some of them were only a $1!!! I love Half Price Books!!

We also hit up the Cheesecake Factory for some yummy dessert!

Banana cream cheesecake!!

On the way home, we stopped at Monical’s for some yummy thin crust pizza. Hot peppers=Delicious!! Even if I was sweating while eating it. 😋

Are you starting to see a theme to our weekend? Food, food, and more food!!. I told the boy that I have to quit running around with him. He is bad for my waistline!!

Spur of the moment

Summer is creeping up on me and my calendar is already starting to fill up.  There just doesn’t seem to be enough weekends in the summer!!  Other than the Color Run in July (which is a 5k),  my next long distance race isn’t until September.  Regardless,  I have been hitting the treadmill trying to win back my endurance.  The race last weekend convinced me that I just need to push through the pain with my hip and so far it has been working.  I have been running 5 miles almost daily without any lingering pain.  This is all fabulous news for my running fund since it really took a hit last month when I wasn’t running much.

The theme of this summer seems to be TRAVEL, TRAVEL, and more TRAVEL!!  Not that I am complaining or anything.  As always a trip to Florida is shaping up plus in June I hit the high seas with Mickey and my friends for a Mediterranean cruise and after 3 1/2 years,  I get to go back to my favorite city EVER!!!

New York City!!

Who knows what else the summer has in store for me?  Hopefully some last minute races or spur of the moment travel plans.  No matter what happens this summer,  I plan on taking full advantage of the warm,  sunny weather while it is here!

Felt like mountains

Friday afternoon,  Running Mama Drama and myself hit the road for a 6 hour drive to Olathe, Kansas for the Garmin Half Marathon.  We made it in plenty of time to visit the expo and get our packets.  The expo was held outside and there were just a few vendors set up.

I must say I was a little disappointed in the shirt that I received.  It is soooo tiny!!!  It is a women’s cut shirt in a size medium but it is cotton so it is definitely going to shrink.  If it had been a tech shirt,  it wouldn’t be a problem.  I wish I had marked my size as a man’s medium instead.  Oh well,  no use crying over spilled milk!!

We went to Carrabba’s for our carb-loading dinner.  That is the best part about running a race,  right?  I ordered the cavatappi that was on the pasta seconds menu.  I assumed that meant that if I wanted seconds  they would bring them to me.  WRONG!!

They brought 2 huge plates at once!!!  No wonder this country has a weight problem!!  After eating a whole bread basket,  a salad and one of these:

There was no way I had room for 2 plates.  Running Mama Drama‘s spaghetti was a little spicy for her so she ate a little bit of my extra plate so at least all of it didn’t go to waste.

I forgot to bring my iPhone armband and some throw-away gloves so we made a pit stop at K-Mart before checking into the hotel.  The morning temperature for the race was going to be close to freezing.  Gloves were definitely needed!!

Once checked in,  I laid out all my clothes and essentials and said a small prayer that my hip would at least allow me to finish the race in the morning.  With my hip pain and my lack of training due to it,  I didn’t have high expectations for this race.

I slept great and when my alarm went off at 5:40 AM,  I was ready to get up and get going!  We had a short 15 minute drive to Olathe from our hotel and went straight to the port-o-potty lines.  To tell you how cold I was,  I was grateful for my few minutes in the port-o-potty to warm up a smidge.  Pretty gross,  huh?

The race announcer was up in the hot air balloon which was pretty cool.  There was a moment of silence for Boston and then the National Anthem.  We were originally going to wear rainbow headbands  but it just seemed silly after the tragedy that struck the Boston Marathon less than a week earlier.  Although we chose not to dress up,  there were plenty of cute Wizard of Oz inspired costumes in the race.

I started off the race running pretty fast (for me).  I think I was trying to bank some time before my hip unfroze and started bothering me.  At one point,  we almost caught up with the 2:15 pacer.  I knew it would never last but it was a fun thought while it lasted.  Around mile 5,  I really started to slow down.  My running partner stopped for a potty break around mile 6 so I used that time to stretch out my hip.  So far,  so good.

We were pretty sure that this race was advertised on their website as a flat and fast course but I beg to differ!!!  There were a lot of inclines that felt like mountains at times.  By mile 10,  I started to fall apart.  My whole body ached including my hip.  I think my lack of training was catching up with me.  My endurance that I usually rely on during these races just wasn’t there.  Every step was a struggle.  Michel kept asking if I wanted to walk but I was afraid to stop for the fear of stiffening up and not being able to start running again or worse yet,  not being able to finish.  When we got close to the finish line,  the 2:35 pacer came up behind us.  If it wasn’t for her,  my time probably would have been worse.  I was determine to cross the finish line with her.  It wouldn’t be my best race time but I wasn’t about to let it be my worst either!  I didn’t think I could speed up at that point but I did just enough to finish with the pacer.  I was so out of breath when I finally came to a stop!!  Talk about motivation to go back home and start training hard again.  That was the worst feeling ever!

There were bananas and yogurt along with bottled water for the finishers.  Noodle and Company was passing out macaroni and cheese and someone was grilling chicken for sandwiches.  I am usually not a big eater after a race but I couldn’t resist the mac and cheese.  I also couldn’t resist this:

Beer and margaritas before 10 AM?  Yes,  please!!

I figured the alcohol would numb all my aches and pain for a while anyways!

We took a celebratory picture back at the room wearing our rainbow headbands.  At least they got to make an appearance!!

My official finishers time was 2:35:41.  Considering my hip issue and the fact that I hadn’t been running at all,  I was pretty happy with that time.  I was afraid it would be a LOT slower than that.  Thanks to Running Mama Drama for sticking by me.  I promise to be in better shape for the next race (hopefully my hip reads this and straightens its act up!).

Boston

As I prepare for my half marathon this weekend, I can’t help but think about all the runners in Boston on Monday. That is  a once in a lifetime chance for some people and to be stopped half a mile from finish line and not be able to finish would be so devastating. No cheers at the finish line,  no medal,  no sense of accomplishment.   I feel for those runners and everyone else affected by this tragedy.

No,  it might not be a Boston but there will always be another race for those runners.  At least that is some small consolation that they can take away with them.

One sick puppy

I tested out my hip and it is still a problem for me.  I only ran 3 miles two days in a row.  I have decided to let it rest until I get home.  I even feel it pull when I walk so I am afraid that I am going to need all the rest I can get until next weekend for the half marathon!

I couldn’t decide if  I should run or try the elliptical so I did both.  I thought the elliptical might be easier on my hip but it wasn’t.

We visited the Anheuser-Busch Brewery on Monday and ended up having a private tour since no one else was there but us.  It was pretty neat.   It was my lucky day…..they were bottling my favorite brew!!!  Bud Light!!

The best part of the tour was the Hospitality room at the end.  Free beer,  soft drinks,  and pretzels!!  Why would anyone ever leave this room?

All of that talk about beer made me thirsty so we grabbed a 6-pack and hit up the beach for the day.

One day,  we made the trip down to St. Augustine and found this cute little cupcake store.

Frosting shots are the bomb!!!

We drove to Savannah today and ate lunch at Paula Deen’s restaurant,  The Lady and Sons.

We drove out to Tybee Island after lunch to check out the beach and the lighthouse.

On the way back through,  we visited Paula’s brother,  Bubba and had dessert!

Since the day turned out to be all about food,  we then proceeded to stuff ourselves with sushi rolls for dinner.  We ordered the first plate and the boy decided that he wasn’t full yet so we ordered the second one.   I definitely overate and I am  one sick puppy right now!!!  I hate for vacation to end but I am ready to get back to my old routine of eating healthy and exercising regularly!!

Longest break

So,  it has been a week and 2 days since my last run.  I think that is the longest break I have taken in a REALLY long time!!  My hip feels a lot better so I think I will take it a for a spin tomorrow and see how it holds up.  I have 2 weeks to get it half marathon ready for Kansas!!

Just because I haven’t been running doesn’t mean that I have been a total sloth.  I have become addicted to the Pulse Fitness workout that I blogged about here.   It is such an awesome workout.  I have also noticed that my summer clothes that were a bit snug during my last Florida vacation fit much better now!  Woohoo!!

The boy,  the dog,  and I left yesterday for a week in Florida.  I am looking forward to a week of sunshine and hot temperatures.  Luckily for us,  the cold snap in Florida is over and it is going to be in the 80′s here this week.

Once we finally made it to the hotel,  the dog tucked in and took a nice long nap.  His belly has been upset all day.  Traveling is too much excitement for him sometimes.

Believe it or not,  I didn’t have any reading material to bring with me on this trip (and god forbid,  I download a book on my iPad like a normal person would do) so I hit up Walmart to grab a few things.

I am one of those crazy people who still likes to hold an actual book in my hand!  No digital reader for me,  thank you very much!!  Now I am ready to hit the beach tomorrow and chill!

The Liebster Award

I have been nominated now twice for the Liebster Award so I figured I better get down to business and answer the questions and pass on the love!!   Thanks to Jan at Sprouts and Squats and Luv What You Do for the nominations.   Someone really is reading my blog after all!!!      

The rules for the Liebster Award:
1. Link back to the blogger who gave you this award
2. Post 11 things about yourself
3. Answer the questions asked of you
4. Create 11 new questions for your nominees to answer
5. Nominate 11 people you think deserve the award and link them to your post
6. Go to their pages and tell them they have been chosen

11 Random facts about me:

1.  I have been to 43 of the 50 states.  Yes,  these are the type of things that I keep track of!!

2.  My vehicle is 12 years old and I don’t even want to replace it anytime soon….knock on wood.  I only drive it back and forth to work (about 15 miles each way) so it should last me forever!!

3.  I love animals but I am definitely a dog person.  I have never had a cat.  I wouldn’t know what to do with one!

4.  My one fear:  Spiders of any size!!

5.  I wear the same clothes for decades at a time.  I have photo after photo after photo of me in this fabulous pink jacket!

6.  I hit the snooze button for 45 minutes every morning before I finally drag my lazy butt out of bed and get ready for work.  My husband loves every minute of that……NOT!!

7.  The craziest thing I have ever done is jump out of a perfectly good airplane.  Luckily there was a parachute (and a random guy) strapped to my back and I lived to tell about it!

8.  I smoked for over 10 years. I started when I was 16 and rebelling! Luckily, I quit when I was 26 and have never looked back. Best thing that I ever did!

9.   I nap 4 out of the 7 days of the week. I am soooooo lazy! I do it because I can and I am not ashamed! LOL!

10.  I dyed my hair blond for years after high school but I am now back to brunette. Less maintenance!  Plus it looked like crap!!!!!

11.  I eat the exact same thing for lunch everyday at work.  Weight Watcher’s Ziti meal,  sugar-free pudding,  and a Diet Pepsi!!

11 New Questions from Jan:

1. What is your favourite movie?  Don’t laugh…….Xanadu.  Yes,  the one with Olivia Newton-John.  Yes,  someone really watched that movie…..over and over and over again (most recently last week!!)!!  I even had to get a picture of the old Xanadu building while we were in L.A. in November.

2. How many times a week do you exercise?  Usually at least 5 days.  It is a real struggle for me to take a night off since that is the only time I watch T.V and I want to watch my shows!  The Housewives are always calling my name!!

3. How long have you been blogging for?  It will be a year in May.

4. What skill would you like to learn?   Cook or sew…..Yeah right!!  Just kidding!  I would like to be more crafty but I am too lazy.

5. What is your favourite item of clothing?   My gray comfy sweatshirt

6.  Do you have any brothers or sisters?  a brother and a sister

7. Are you a morning person or a night owl?  Definitely a night owl!!!

8. How do you have your coffee or tea?  I don’t drink either.

9. What food could you not live without?  Sugar!!!  In my world,  that is a single food group!

10. What is your favourite recipe to make?   Margaritas!?!

11.  Winter or Summer?  SUMMER!!

11 New Questions for the Nominees:

1.  Spicy or mild?

2.  What is your favorite beach?

3.  Salty or sweet?

4.  How many states have you been to?

5.  If you could live anywhere else in the world,  where would it be?

6.  What kind of cell phone do you have?

7.  Last thing you purchased?

8.  Best way to spend a weekend?

9.  Snowman or snow angel?

10.  Who is your favorite person in the world?

11.  Last movie that you saw?

11 Bloggers I have Nominated:

Running Mama Drama

Toronto Runner

Challenged and Running in the Bike Lane

Kash of All Trades

Change of Pace

MJ Runs

Steph Runs On

Milk and Honey on the Run

The Running Ginger

Sit for your job. Run for your life

Run Like a Grl

The Arty Runnerchick

I know that I added 12 nominees instead of 11 but I like a lot of blogs and didn’t want to leave anyone out!!