Snapbacks n Tattoos.

This morning’s run – Easy 7 miles, relaxed run, no music

It felt so great to run without music this morning. The tune of birds chirping and the breeze blowing was music to my ears. Wasn’t focused on the pace, and frankly could care less…I can actually say this run was just what I needed, uninterrupted silence and time with God.

The weather was as good as it can get for summertime in TX…we’ve had lots of rain come in so this week has been a little bit cooler…hey low 70′s for my morning runs, I’ll take it!

 

Last night was the boyfriend’s birthday celebration! I made him dinner…steak, red roasted potatoes, and veggies. A man’s meal.

I also got him a cake and presents. He loved his SWAG shirt.

After we ate we hustled over to Scat Jazz Lounge to listen to some live jazz music. A friend told me about this place not too long ago so I thought it would make for the perfect date night! It was very intimate and romantic…reminded me of something out of the old days.

It was a great night, and we are looking forward to doing some more celebrating with friends this weekend! I will be out from coaching my running group on Saturday, so I am going to try and get my long run (13 miles!) in on Friday morning. It went pretty well the last time I attempted to do this before work so we will see how it goes!

I will likely be running while rockin’ out to this song…

Anyone running today or racing this weekend? Favorite song right now? What is your idea of the perfect date night? 

It’s a Celebration…Wknd Recap.

Before we jump into another busy week I of course have to update you on my weekend! So much going on so we’ll back it on up to Friday night.

Friday was spent catching up with my lovely mama. I like to pay her a visit on the weekends in Plano, and since I was celebrating my birthday ALL weekend we had to have our traditional mama/daughter birthday treats and eats. We went to Grimaldi’s – known for their coal brick oven NY style pizzas. They give you a free large pizza on your birthday so you know we had to be on board with that! I ordered the Margherita pizza, my all time fave, with fresh basil and tomatoes. Heaven.

 

Mama seemed to enjoy it too.

 

After getting carb’d up I went to bed early and got up bright and early to get a few miles in.

My running group is at the track for the remainder of the season. They had 12 x 400 meter sprints on deck. Since my old lady hip is on the mend, I have been starting back with my running, SLOWLY in preparation for marathon training for this race which starts up at the end of May. So I did a slow 3 miles followed by some dynamic stretching and a few of the sprint drills. I knew I wasn’t up for all of them so I did what my body was ready for at the moment. It was just nice to be out there in the mix with my team! I logged a total of 6 miles for the day so I was happy.  I spent the rest of the time cheering on those speedy runners.

Later on in the day I went to the Danceaton flash mob! It was held at the Dallas Kidz Get Fit Festival. We danced to Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling”. It was a crazy fun good time! Can you find me?

 

After a NAP I went to Saturday night church with Eric, then hit up Gloria’s for my birthday celebration. I had a great group of friends that made it! We had some amazing food and then salsa danced the night away!

Sunday morning, it felt so good to sleep in knowing that E and I had been to church the night before. We met up then went to a pool party at our friends Iesha and Jay’s house. They were workin’ it on the grill – ribs, chicken, and hot links, oh my!

 

We layed out by the pool and enjoyed the beautiful sunny afternoon.

 

Overall I had a great weekend. I was so happy to see so many friends old and new come out to my birthday celebration. God has blessed me with so many wonderful friends, and for that I am thankful.

How was your weekend? Did you do anything active in the great outdoors? What is your favorite thing to cook on the grill? 

When There’s Cake, You Dance.

You will have to excuse me, while I come down from my birthday high.

Yesterday truly made me realize just how BLESSED I am to be surrounded by so many wonderful people. From my mom and dad who called me with their own personalized birthday songs, to the boyfriend who came out and surprised me on my birthday run. My heart is full of joy and happiness.

It all started with a ladies lunch with my coworkers that afternoon at CoCo’s Tea Room. We enjoyed some yummy salads and their famous iced chai vanilla tea. So much fun.

 

I could hardly work when I came back from being so birthday giddy. I probably worked a total of 30 minutes the entire day. There were lots of birthday shout outs so I tried to respond to every one. Totally more important than work, right? I thought so too.

It may have also had something to do with being excited about my first run in 2 WEEKS! Which felt more like 2 years but who’s counting. I was going to the Luke’s Locker social run and bbq/pool night, so I was a little nervous about how the old lady hip would hold up. But I had been cross training with spin and dance classes for 2 weeks so I felt ready to test it out. Nike was at the social run showing off their latest shoes. I wanted to test out my Newtons so I decided to wear them to the short 3.6 mile run. I met up with my friend Ann and some of the other runners. We were ready to go, my Garmin was fired up and ready to be used. Then, guess who appeared out of nowhere? This boy…

He told me he had a game with his basketball league all night so I wasn’t expecting to see him there. It was such a nice surprise!! He wore a special shirt just for me and totally dominated the run!

I also enjoyed running with my running partner in crime, Ann! We had a great time on the easy run talking the miles away. My hip felt pretty good and legs were just happy to be moving again!

 

After the run I stayed and mixed and mingled with the gang a bit. Took pics with the girls, of course.

Elaine, Sarah, Ann and me

Kickin' it with Sarah

Ann also surprised me with birthday cupcakes and everyone sang me a little birthday diddy...and of course I danced because when there’s cake, you dance.

It was a great time! Thanks to all of you for your kind words and for making my day a special one! I am looking forward to celebrating ALL weekend!!

I also wanted to give a shout out to my running buddy friend Shirley Barbaro who will be crushing the Eugene Marathon on Sunday! You’ve got this, girl!!

Do you have a Friday workout on deck today? Doing anything outside this weekend (grillin’ and chillin’, poolside, beachside?) Who is racing this weekend?

Sweat…like it’s your birthday.

Well, howdy ho there! My day is getting off to a good start I must say! Why, cuz it’s my birthday, yo!

uhh well yeah...

I woke up at the ungodly hour of 4 AM bright eyed and bushytailed and ready for a serious burn after partaking in a few too many yummy treats yesterday…exhibit A…

cookout lunch yesterday at work! cuz that's how we roll...

And then B…

I don't play around.

So this morning I took drastic measures to SWEAT IT OUT. I finally hit my 4 minute plank! Success.

 

Then I enjoyed a lovely spin class with instructor Bridget.

We did LOTS of quick turnover drills and a few hills. It was tough, but my head was in the game. My favorite song of the class…

 

Then I got all fresh and clean, came in to work and saw this! My coworkers decorated my office when I left work last night. They are so thoughtful. I am so blessed to have a job that I love and to work with such talented and friendly peeps.

Tonight, I RETURN TO RUNNING AFTER 2 WEEKS! My legs are ready to get it on tonight. I will be going to the Luke’s Locker Thursday Night Social Run and bbq with some friends. Running in the sunshine followed by kicking it with some of my favorite people, I’m SO IN!

That’s all for today! Tune in next time.

How are you going to SWEAT IT OUT today? What did you have for breakfast? Ever taken a spin class?