The Halloween 5K

Daily Vitamin F

I LOVE Halloween!! I've got lots to share from today but first I wanted to post my Halloween 5K finish. Kiley over at Daily Vitamin F is hosting a series of virtual races throughout the holidays and the first was for today! If you missed out today, go check out her site, she's doing three more throughout the next few months, and the prizes are awesome so don't miss out!!!

 Sookie Stackhouse standing on the tub prior to my run. Classy photo right?

After my run, I forgot my bib at home!

I'll post some better costume pics in a while, plus you can see Brad and Riley's costumes and our pumpkins too!

Meet My Trainer

So according to Get Your Sh*t Together Sunday, I needed to run 2 miles and get in a NTC workout. Done and done. This was my first run in almost 2 weeks and boy could I tell. Crazy to think that I ran 13.1 miles almost a month ago. Geez.

I ran on the treadmill because the wind is blowing like crazy outside and for whatever reason it hurts my ears (am I crazy or does this happen to you too?). I put the incline on 1% and did 2 slow miles in 21:55. I've got 1 more chance to break 30 minutes in my 5k time this year (Turket Trot) and I plan to do it.

I did a strength training session with NTC, and once again, I loved it. So did my trainer:

I'm not really sure what is creepier, the way he's looking at me or the way my big head is taking up the whole screen. I'm pretty sure I win and the only reason he was looking at me like that was because I was farting around with my phone instead of doing my superman lifts... He's such a hard@ss trainer!

Happy Monday!!

Get Your Sh*t Together Sunday

So this is something new I'm trying out. Like I've mentioned before, I do well with goals and plans once I make them. It's just the making them that I've been struggling with. So why not have a day once a week that I make plans for the rest? Thanks to my new job I won't be working anymore Sundays!!! Giving me time to attend church AND start a series with a curse word in the title. Something's wrong here.

Monday: 2 mile run, NTC workout
Tueday: 2 mile run, NTC workout
Wednesday: work 12 hours
Thursday: work 12 hours
Friday: 2 mile run
Saturday: ziplining with fam, elliptical
Sunday: rest day

I'm doing a sort of bridge/maintenance running routine for awhile. I'm doing Kiley's Halloween 5k and then I'm going to do a Turkey Trot 5k here in Asheville.

check it out!!!



What are planning to get done this week?
Have you started picking out races for 2012 yet?

Brown Dog Photography... My First Wedding

As I mentioned in this post my friend Kaelee (of Kaelee Denise Photography) asked me to be her second shooter for a wedding in July. I was thrilled to say the least. I'm not really all that interested in becoming a wedding photographer (too stressful, too many moments that you cannot afford to miss!) but I am super interested in learning everything I can about photography and getting as much experience as possible. Kaelee was great to work with and I really can't thank her enough for asking me to help out!

I thought I'd finally share some of the pictures I took on that day (I know you've been sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation). Let me know what you think!

Nike Training Club... And my Go Girl Vortex Shirt

In an attempt to snap out of my workout funk, I finally tried something that I've been wanting to do for awhile... Enter Nike Training Club.

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Have you all seen/used this? I downloaded it to my phone about 3 months ago but never got around to using it. We got an iPad about a month ago and I once again dowloaded it (it's free, I very rarely pay for apps) but hadn't used it. Well last night I decided to change that, and let me just tell you... It kicked my trash.

So first you pick what your goal for the workout is. You can choose from lean, toned, strong, or focused. Then you choose a level:

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I chose lean, beginner, then hit start. Then the trainer proceeded to take me through an awesome 30 minute workout. The workout included my two most hated moves (burpees and mountain climbers) but it had lots of things I hadn't tried before. If it pops up something that you don't know, you just pause it, and watch the video. It shows you exactly what you need to be doing.

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Honestly it worked me harder than several personal trainer sessions I've paid for in the past. And I am so freaking sore today. I will definitely be using this gem more often. Plus it gives you rewards as you accumulate minutes and I love silly rewards.

Okay second thing, I wore my Go Girl Vortex shirt for this workout. The shirt is super comfortable, and I was surprised but it's actually see through in some parts.

I think I will appreciate this venting come summer time heat wave. It's a great workout shirt. It fits well and I LOVE the fabric. Of course it rode up while I was doing mountain climbers, which is annoying, but I have yet to find a shirt that doesn't (so it just goes back to how MC's are stupid in the first place). I think the design is awesome and really love the logo on the back.

You're welcome for the high quality pics as always. And turns out I didn't need to shower to show you the shirt!

Quick Catch-Up!

Hey guys, sorry I've been so horrible about posting and commenting lately. I've been reading, just mostly on my phone.  Today is the first free day I've had in over a week, so I thought I'd do a catch up post.

I updated my weight page... The Weigh It Is. Check it out, or don't. Actually, don't.

I worked 24 hours last weekend, but the good news is it was the last weekend I'll be doing that. I turned in my two week notice on Monday. EEEK. More on this later.

I recieved a package from Go Girl Sport in the mail yesterday! It was my vortex shirt that I won in Christy's giveaway.

Can't wait to model it for you guys. But that requires that I shower and that's not happening right at this moment because it is COLD in our house.

If you want an idea of how cold it is, Riley doesn't get up out of his warm bed when I'm in the kitchen getting breakfast in the AM. Seriously, this dog does not miss a beat when you open a pack of Frosted Flakes (or anything in the kitchen that makes noise). He's usually at your feet daring you to drop something.

Not today though. He's in his bed and I'm burrowed in a blanket and hoodie on the couch. I know the simple solution is to turn the heat on. But I hate turning the heat on. I don't want to admit it's cold enough to need it. I want fall to come back. So instead I'm blogging and watching one of my favorites:

Do you have certain movies that you watch over and over? Mine are Juno, Van Wilder, The Proposal, It's Complicated, Center Stage, Wedding Crashers, Elf, & Love Actually.

Are you crazy like me or do you just turn on the heat?

I can bend and not break... Versatile, right?

The incredibly funny and beautiful Jenn, who blogs at Jenn's Adventures passed a blogger award my way! I found Jenn's blog while researching our trip to Maui and have been hooked ever since. I'm convinced that we'd get along great if we ever got to hang out. She's an Auburn fan (go SEC), loves her purses and is a fan of tailgating on Saturday mornings (those fall Saturdays ruin us for the rest of the year, right?). So take some time to go check out her adventures! THANKS JENN!

So here's how this works:

• Thank and link back to the person who passed it to you.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Pass along to 15 fellow bloggers.

Seven things about me...

1.  FALL is my favorite season of the year, but I am really grossed out by all the pumpkin flavored stuff that's everywhere. Eww, sick nasty. Almost as gross as pickles. Let's just stick to carving them, shall we? Here's Brad with his Bengals pumpkin a few years ago:

2.  I have this habit of finding myself in extremely awkward situations. I think it's partly because I spend so much time at work having to think before I act or speak (to avoid being sued, and/or fired). When I'm not at work I don't like to think, so I don't... too much.

This particular incident involved a man shoving a goat (named Princess) into my hands and demanding to take a picture of us. Then he asked us for a 'donation' for Princess.

3.  I cannot sleep in socks.

4.  I had a really awkward conversation with Brad's mom the other day. She was talking about how she and Bruce (my father in law) were out to eat and there were all these high school students dressed for homecoming at the restaurant. She was talking about how risque the girls dresses were. I haven't shown her pictures, but I did explain what I wore to prom. Here's JR and SR year:

She's trying to figure out how she can divorce me now... I kid.

5. I was prom queen... In the light blue dress. Kids these days.

6.  A McDonalds diet coke or a Sonic diet cherry limeade can turn my day around. Bring one to me while I'm at work and we'll be BFFs.

7.  I love to read. I know it's really weird but I can spend hours in a Barnes and Noble and be perfectly content. I also think we're incredibly lucky to have libraries. Not to go all Good Will Hunting on you, but it's true, to a certain extent. There's a world of knowledge right at your fingertips. And it's free to everyone. I think it's one thing our government has to be proud of.

PS - if you'd like 7 more random facts about me you can read this post.

So now to pass the love along:

Danielle at Happy, Healthy and Strong
Julia at Pain, Pride and Perseverance
Stefanie at Run On
Samantha at Run With Sam
Rachelle at Running for Trevor
Missy at Southern Girl Running
Jill at Life...As I See It
Courtney at A So-Called Runner
Suz at Cows and Lasers and Everything in Between
Vanessa at Gourmet Runner
Christy at My Dirt Road Anthem
Christina at The Athletarian
Betty at Unstoppable
Coy at First In Philly
Ashley at Redonk Runner

Happy Anniversary!

1 Corinthians 13:13 "and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. but the greatest of these is love."

Three years ago today we were in Harlan, KY celebrating what has been the best day of my life thus far. Surrounded by family and friends B-rad and I tied the knot. Of course there are days when I want to punch him in the face and he wants to tape my mouth shut... But for the most part we like each other a lot :) I thought I'd share some of our wedding pics with y'all. If you ever want to see more they're under my wedding tab.

October 11, 2008

All pictures were taken by David & Karla Banks of Banks Photography. 

Pink Elephant In the Room... Or that's what it feels like at least.

After I finished work on Friday, Brad and I packed up to go to Kentucky. One of his cousins was getting married so it was kind of a like a mini family reunion for his side of the family. It was a really nice wedding and great to see everyone.

He cleans up nice doesn't he?

I've been in a crap mood since Friday. I'm not sure what's up with that. I think a huge part of it (no pun intended) is my current weight situation. I've been trying to figure out how to attack it, and as I mentioned here I plan on resuming weekly weigh ins.

But even during last week I found myself making poor food decisions. I wasn't committed yet.

I have this horrible mentality when it comes to dieting... All or nothing. I know how problematic this mentality can be. Trust me. But I've never had successful weight loss without hitting rock bottom (or an all time high on the scale), then making a conscious decision to make hard core changes.

I (like most everyone else) like to see results quickly and those results are what motivate me to continue. But then I look back over the past 10 years of my life (dang, really 10 years?!?) and I see how I've yo-yo dieted throughout. Honestly, it pisses me off. A lot.

I'm sick of being self conscious.
I'm sick of not being able to wear the clothes I want to wear and be confident in them.
I'm tired of being embarrassed to walk into a running store (seriously I am).

I hesitate to say these things, because once I hit publish it's out there for good. I'm afraid to fail. But I cannot keep doing this to myself over and over. I feel like I've missed out on so much because I've been too worried about my weight.

I hope that I can work on this over the next few months as racing winds down. Then hopefully come spring my running will reap the rewards of me being at least 20-25 pounds lighter. I hope that I can conquer this nagging problem that I have let beat me so many times.

And trust me I know that it doesn't stop once you get to where you want. I've lost the weight twice and gained it back. (Once right before pharmacy school started and again before the wedding, although I didn't get back as low as I'd have liked for the wedding). So here I am again, hoping that the third time really is a charm.

Sorry for the rambling, woe is me post. I try not to be Debbie Downer, especially about situations that I've brought upon myself. I just felt like I needed to get it off my chest. So no more excuses, it's on like Donkey Kong :)

What's your best healthy eating tip?

Asheville Citizen Times Half Marathon Pics... And I'm a Winner!

I finally figured out how to share my race pics with you all. It's the little things that are important, right?

Heel strike much? And, yes, I'm pretty much wearing the same outfit that I wore for the Lady Distance Classic (the only other race I have pics from). I can't help it, I love that Nike Miler shirt. I love it so much I'm gonna share it with you all very soon!

And speaking of sharing, I woke up to find out that I won the Go Girl Skirt Giveaway over on Christy's blog, My Dirt Road Anthem. Now I can change up my race outfits! If only I could borrow Christy's legs too... Kidding... Kind of.

If you don't follow her you should go check her out immediately and you should VOTE FOR HER HERE for Team Refuel.

October Goals

Get my diet back on track. I was doing really well with my diet, until I started running. Then I did the typical, "I'm running I can eat" routine and I'm right back where I started. I feel like my weight is holding me back in  a lot of instances, especially in my running. I know it's crazy, but I still feel really weird mentioning that I run to people. I get self conscious, because I know I don't look like the stereotypical runner. I'm going to start weighing in weekly again, and I'll share my gains/losses on a new tab up top, called The Weigh it is.

Do more than just run three times a week. I've accomplished a huge goal of mine (1/2 marathon), so I need to be confident in the base I've got. But I want more, and to do that, I can't keep doing the same things. I want to add at least two days of cross training to the mix, to the point that I'm working out five days per week consistently!

Figure out my fall racing schedule, and start looking towards next year. I'd like to plan my races a little better next year, maybe traveling a little to do some more interesting races. Brad and I usuallly take a long weekend trip here and there, and I'd like to line up a race with some of those.

Do you have any goals for this month?? Staying out of the Halloween candy should definitely be another one of mine!!!

Runway 5K at the Asheville Airport and a Great Weekend

Saturday I got up early and drove down to the WNC Ag Center to take a bus over to the AVL airport for the first annual Runway 5k. I went really early because we had to take the bus over, and you never know how that'll play out. The buses were super efficient (unlike the Run on the Wildside) so I had about and hour and a half to kill before the race. They had some planes out for us to look at:

It was FREEZING. This was my first run in the cold and it was challenging, especially with the crazy wind. It was pretty cool to run on the runway though. This was the first time for this race and I really hope they continue to have it. We even got technical shirts:

Unfortunately, I didn't finish under 30 minutes. My time was 32:47. But that's okay, just gives me something to work on. I was sooo on track to finish under 30 but I crapped out around 2.2 and had to walk for a minute.

I came home and made waffles for me and my little brother (my family came to visit!!!!). Then we got to work (Brad was at real work). Let me just tell you... My family is AWESOME. My mom pressure washed my front porch, dad and Matthew cleared off this forest in our backyard, and I mowed the yard. I wish I had a before picture, but here's the after:

This is a crap iPhone pic (what else would you expect from me?) but basically before they did this, the forest started right behind my garden. They chopped down trees and cleared all the brush. AMAZING.

Then we cleared the flower beds in front of the house. No, I don't require all my guests to do manual labor. I promise.


After we cleaned up and Brad got home, we went to Pack's Tavern in downtown Asheville.

It's a cool place with a lot of history (they made moonshine here during prohibition). We had some drinks and apps while waiting for a table. At some point during this, Brad tells me that mom and matthew had just taken a shot of everclear... WHAT?!? I misheard, they had actually had a sample of Pack's signature drink, the Orange Crush. Then all hell broke loose. I kid. But we all (minus dad who was our DD) ordered them. They were delicious! Tasted like an orange cream slushee. They were made with 10 cane rum, everclear, and Tang.

Here's my little brother (and his beard) and his drink. If you look past him you'll see mom's drink too and the magical slushee machine that spits these things out. Needless to say we all slept great last night.

Matthew is a powerlifter by the way. I don't have any weights but he used Riley to get some reps in:

They went home today and I'm sad :(