I used my camera in the locker room at the gym... Such a rebel.

I'm trying out some color today. We'll see if it's readable.

Today was my first day off in a week and I was determined to milk to for all it's worth. Let me be very clear, I LOVE to sleep. LOVE IT. But I really hate getting up and feeling like so much of the day is gone. So I got up at 8am (still later than I normally get up) and headed to the Rush. Does this mean I'm officially old?

I had 4 miles of speedwork today, and to be honest, I didn't exactly know what that meant. So I just ran a mile warm up, then worked the speed up and down the rest of the time. Intervals? ish?

Obviously at some point someone ran by me and tossed a bucket of water over my head... Because there is no way one person could produce that much sweat in 40 minutes. It was way more gross than normal. And by normal I mean normal for me and other cool people... Like hookers in church I believe the saying goes.

And just a quick tangent, I ordered some more Active Bands and I'm stalking the mailman until they come.

Then I ran home, showered and went to get my hair done. I was trying someone new so I was a little nervous. But she was AWESOME and I loved what she did. Rebecca at Asheville Hair Design if anyone around here is looking for someone. She listened to what I wanted and then did it. Crazy right?

So happy that worked out. By this point I was starving and I knew just what I wanted to eat:  Panera. 

Delicious, but not as much food as I needed  wanted. So now it's 2 hours later and I'm hungry again. Maybe some fro-yo in my near future...

Tell me about your worst hair disaster... I had one lady in Lexington turn my hair CAMO GREEN not attractive, let me tell you.

A Little Freedom

I finally had some time off today. I've worked so many 12 hour days in a row that working 8-4 seemed like a piece of cake. Brad and I went to see Friends with Benefits after I got to leave that silly, silly place.

source



I thought it was really cute and very funny. We were late getting there (I thought it started 10 minutes later than it actually did, whooops) so we missed the previews [i get really peeved when we miss previews because I love 'em] and the very beginning of the movie [dislike]. I LOVE Mila Kunis. She is so freaking skinny, but I still love her. She and JT had great chemistry, and they were really funny together. I was surprised.

Then we went to the gym, I had an easy four miler. I tried increasing the incline on the TM to make it more difficult and hopefully help it translate to running outdoors. It went really well, but when I stopped I felt like my right leg was really tense. I spent a lot of time stretching and using the foam roller [not that I really know how]... and it feels better now.

Oh yeah, and on the way to the gym, we saw a beautiful double rainbow. And guess who didn't have her camera. That'd be this girl. It was really awesome, people were pulling off the road to take pictures. I've never seen one so bright. Our God is truly amazing.

Look at me now! I won a Road ID

Katie over at Katie Thinks had an awesome giveaway a while back for a free Road ID. She emailed me last week and let me know that I had won! Sidenote: She and I went to high school together, go check out her blog, she has great recipes and reviews!

I wasted no time designing my Road ID, I've wanted one of these for awhile. After much debate (couldn't decide between the wrist slim or wrist elite) I chose the wrist elite.

I freaking love it (I've worn it all around the house tonight and B-rad is hardcore teasing me... Jealous). It is one size fits all (you cut the strap to adjust) and it's super easy to snap on and off.

I have been super impressed by the company, their quality product, and their great customer service. Every email I get is so personal and laid back. It seems like they really love their job. It's just refreshing. Plus they donate a portion of the sale to a charity, and they let you choose which one.

I put my name, location (this was recommended but I'm not positive how it would help...), B's phone number, mom & dad's number, NKDA (no know drug allergies), MVP (most valuable... just kidding, it's mitral valve prolapse, this thing with my heart), and then on the last line you can put a slogan or motto. I debated between bible verses, song lyrics, etc. Finally I chose Be strong, believe. I don't know if you all listen to Yellowcard or not, but it's from one of their songs. It's a tribute to 9/11 and it's a really great song to run to. At one point I wanted a tattoo of this phrase, but I'm so wishy washy, making a decision like that would be crazy. I change my mind every 3.2342 seconds. Wow what a tangent.

Anyways, Road ID sent me this so I thought I'd share it with you all and you can pass it along to anyone who might use it. It's a coupon for $1 off: ThanksCourtney8155711 (it can be used by up to 20 peeps!).

Do you wear identification when you run/bike/hike?

What's your favorite song to run to right now? be strong believe is my all time favorite, but at the moment i'm loving superbass by nicki minaj!

Breaking Through

I haven't been posting about my runs this week because they've been depressing me and mentally kicking my butt. I was excited for this week because my training plan called for 3 easy runs. Not necessarily to take it easy, but excited and confident that I would have a strong week because I knew I could run the distances (4,3,4). I couldn't have been more wrong.

Monday I had the 3.6ish (should have been 4) miles from hell. I accidentally grabbed my road shoes for a trail run, Garmin was being a lazy bum, I ran too close to dark so I was freaking the whole time, and not to mention that darn snake.

Wednesday I convinced B-rad to join me on my 'easy 3 miler.' I was excited for him to run with me and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to show off a little bit (look at me I can run 3 miles soooo easy). That backfired. He kicked my trash, and my confidence took a major blow.

I had somehow convinced myself that I can't run outside. I can hop on the treadmill and run without stopping (I know it's different) but I have this mental block that beats me up while I'm running outside. I've yet to have a race that I haven't walked, and deep down I know this isn't a big deal, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me. ALOT.

So this morning I was nervous. I had a 4 miler that I really wanted to do outside. I figured I needed to get over this before I start adding mileage. Well I worked 10-10 yesterday, and we have inventory this morning, so I stayed til 1130 to help count down our robot (very exciting work). I set my alarm for 7 and come morning that just wasn't working out.

I got up a little later and knew it would probably be better to head to the gym due to the heat. Then I thought, to heck with I'm doing this outside. I was hydrated, wore my Mizuno hat, and kept telling myself what Kara Goucher says in her book about running in the heat:  You might have to slow down but you can do it.

And I did. It took me 47 minutes, but I ran 4 miles, without stopping. I feel so great right now, knowing that I didn't let those two bad runs defeat me.

But don't worry, I won't get all big headed on you... Not with awesome self portraits like these. If that's not humbling I don't know what is ;) And just so you know I was saying four aloud. Not singing.

What are your tricks for getting over a bad run?
What are you all doing this weekend? Any races? I'm working 9-9 on Saturday and Sunday, so think of me. I hope you all have a great weekend!!

What a stinker...

I walked in the door this afternoon and immediately knew something was wrong. Where is my big brown dog who always meets me at the door?

Oddly, he's upstairs and is apparently afraid to come down (FYI- Riley is a big baby. He gets froggy about the stairs every once in a while). I go get him to take him outside and find a few unwelcome 'presents' along the way.

I'm starting to get worried that he's sick and I call B-rad to let him know what's going on. Brad says, "I wonder if he got into his food?" Sure enough, I go check the thing we keep his food in and I find this:

That little big fat turd weaseled his way in the closet and got into his food. Then apparently ate so much that he made himself sick. Stinker.

He won't even look at me when he knows he's in trouble. It's a good thing he's so darn cute.


Does your dog do stuff like this?

Let's be clear, I'd be a Gryffindor not Slytherin

3.6 ish miles approximately 11:00 pace

Why am I estimating mileage and pace? Because my Garmin was being a punk. It searched for satellites for so freaking long that it tried to go into power save. You've gotta be kidding me. After about 11 years I finally just said forget it and took off. It quit being a d-bag at some point.

About 10 minutes later, I notice something stretched across the trail. A big fat snake. I tossed a few rocks at it to get it to scoot along. Dummy me didn't think about the fact that I would have to come right back through there.

So the whole way back I was freaking out that I was gonna get bit by a snake. You'd think it would've increased my pace. You'd think.

Secret Mission Revealed

Today's workout:  5 miles on the TM in 53:01.

On Saturday I mentioned a secret mission that I had to take care of the day before. I've been so excited about this (driving Brad crazy like a kid at Christmas)so it was hard to keep quiet. But now I can finally share... We got new mountain bikes!!

That's mine in the front, isn't she a beauty? I have been wanting one ever since we started running trails. I knew a lot of people rode street bikes here, but I had no idea that it was such a popular place to mountain bike.  We run at Bent Creek a lot and it is always overflowing with bikers. I thought it would be something really fun for B and I to do together.

He surprised me on Monday and took me to check them out at Liberty Bikes. Sam, the manager, helped us choose bikes and even let us test drive them. He was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I went back in on Friday to tell him we wanted the bikes and then we got to pick them up on Saturday (they check the bikes over before selling them). Then we hit the trails.

It was so much fun!!

I can't wait to go again and we were thinking about going tonight... But our butts HURT! Padded Lycra pants anyone? Sign me up!