Monday workout…taught 55 minutes of cycle – gettin’ it in with my crazy dedicated morning crew.
Hope you all had a lovely weekend! Mine was mixed with some rest, lots of running, and some yummy eats! Saturday morning my training plan called for 13 miles. I was up and at it at 5:30 am. 79 degrees….crazy humidity and about 20 mph winds.
Slow as molasses but got it done.
Quick outfit change then I had to hit the streets to sub a spin class for a friend at 8:30. Wild fun joyride.
After a nap I met up with a friend for brunch, and ran some errands. Helped my mom out with my boy Brady who got his shots then a haircut. He told me to take his photo so he could show you guys his dapper new look! I love how he poses for the camera.
Sunday morning I was up for an hour long bendy session in the park! It felt more like hot yoga. Great stretch though and it was fun doing it outdoors with the music and the scenery.
I also did a little running on Sunday too…quick 5 mile loop to shake out the legs from my long run.
Sunday for dinner I made some shrimp lettuce wraps with cilantro lime quinoa and avocado. Just something I made up. They reminded me a little bit of shrimp tacos.
All while drinking Barefoot pinot grigio wine and watching Real Housewives of New Jersey. Keepin’ it classy.
What did you do this weekend?Do you do yoga?What’s your favorite yoga pose?
Hello and Happy Friday! I’m so happy the weekend is back around again. Short work weeks are my favorite!
I also have some more faves to share with you this week.
-Getting treats in the mail from Under Armor for their What’s Beautiful campaign. I actually received these last week before I went out of town but I have been enjoying them all week long. I love teaching my spin classes in a different colorful headband each time.
Plus check out those shoes! They somehow knew about my love for pink workout wear.
-I made this cauliflower mash to go with my smoked salmon for dinner the other nite…deelish. Putting potatoes to shame.
-This nude Essie nail shade Playa del Platinum. Gotta have it.
-Tube top dresses simply because they are super easy to just slip on and go.
-This Beyonce track on my spin playlist this week for some speedy intervals. It will be in the heavy rotation.
-Morning runs with the rain clouds in the sky and drizzles to cool me off on my way back home.
What are you doing this weekend? What’s the name of your favorite nail shade?Have you ever gone for a run in the rain?
This morning’s run…6 breezy miles with lots of wind and humidity. Head in the clouds…feet on the ground…always.
So my friend over at runstilletos nominated me for this snazzy award. Thanks girl! These award thingys are fun to do every now and again.
Here are the rules…
Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to his or her blog…. DONE!
Answer 11 questions asked by the nominator
Post 11 random tidbits about yourself. The inevitability that it will get all kinds of awkward is promising.
Nominate 11 blogs for the Liebster Award.
Create 11 new questions for my nominees!
Don’t forget to include the Liebster Award logo on your post. DONE!
Here were her 11 questions…
1. What is the worst first date you’ve ever been on?
Yikes! There have been too many. I’d have to say meeting someone in person that I met while online dating (GASP!) and him turning out to look nothing like I expected. Photos can be deceiving.
2. What is the most embarrassing event to have happened to you on a run or at the gym?
Geez, I am pretty clutzy. I have fallen so many times on a run that it’s hard to nail down one shining moment.
3. What is your dream job?
I would love to work behind the scenes as a producer at one of the entertainment television stations like E! or Bravo. Since health and fitness is also my passion, I would also like to get certified as a personal trainer and maybe have my own gym or spin studio. One day!
4. What is your all-time favorite TV show?
I love me some reality television. Anything on Bravo especially Real Housewives. It’s one of my guilty pleasures!
5. Dog or Cat?
We have a family dog named Brady and he is the cutest. So definitely dogs. How cute was he as a babe?
6. Who is your celebrity husband/wife? (if you could marry a celebrity, who would it be?)
Boris Kodjoe
7. What inspires you?
The stillness of morning and a new day, starting out on a clean slate.
8. What is your biggest accomplishment, to date?
Becoming a group fitness instructor. It’s something I’ve always shied away from and said I was afraid to do but it’s opened up so many amazing doors for me. I am more passionate about it now than I’ve ever been before.
9. What has been your favorite vacation?
Roatan, Hondurus. I just loved the natives there and the water is a beautiful turquoise color.
11. If you could go back in time, who would you want to meet?
Marilyn Monroe or Rosa Parks.
Now for my 11 random things that may make you scratch your head in wonder, laugh, or both.
-My first job out of college was working behind the cameras at a local news station here in Dallas. From there I worked my way up to the news desk as an editor, assigning reporters to stories and tracking down breaking news. I did that for 3 years. It was a whirlwind of a job but I learned so much there about the tv industry.
-I studied Spanish for 3 years. One day I would love to become fluent and visit Barcelona, Spain…and drink some amazing vino.
-I am a master at any of those fighting video games like Mortal Kombat and Tekken…definitely the queen of mashing all the buttons and coming up with the MOST killer fighting moves. K.O.!
-My first gig as a fitness instructor was teaching a Latin-inspired class called Danceaton. The lead instructor Gaby convinced me to teach so I began my journey there and did that for about a year. It was like one big dance party! I credit her for helping me to become the confident instructor that I am today.
Here’s a silly vid of us in action. Can you find me?
-I don’t like loud lipstick. It looks awful on me! Pretty nude shades all day long.
-I think pink running shoes have magical powers.
-I would rather wear leggings and dresses than pants ANY DAY. So comfy.
-I love to drive barefoot and dance in the car.
-My favorite thing to do at the end of the day is chill out on the couch and listen to jazz music. I’m kind of an old lady.
-Tazo chai tea with a little bit of honey can turn any day around.
-Also…I don’t know how to swim…definitely something I must work on!
Last night I set out for a quick run after work. Yes, this morning girl moved over to the dark side due to a crazy schedule yesterday. 7 miles of rolling hills. Definitely not easy but hills are speedwork in disguise so I was determined to conquer them in the crazy heat and humidity.
It helps that I had this gorgeous view. Sometimes I just need a reminder of why I run in the first place.
PR’s are a nice confidence booster…medals are shiny and bling blingy…races are fun and a great adrenaline rush. But at the end of the day…what KEEPS me running is this…
-To chase the sun.
-For the challenge up that hill to make it all the way to the top.
-To compete against MYSELF…and run my fears and doubts into the ground.
-To sightsee and explore.
-To clear my head from the cares of the day.
-For that moment of stillness to talk to God in solitude.
Happy Friday! Let’s do the TGIF dance. Whatever that looks like. I am thinking something like the cupid shuffle or maybe the wobble…
Finally the long weekend is upon us! Hope you’re doing something fun. I was up early this morning to kick things off with an 8 mile run. Humid, warm, a little bit of a breeze.
Sun peeking through the clouds to greet me good morning.
Moving on…what am I loving this week? A few things…
Stacked bracelets from Stella & Dot. I especially am loving the spiked ones. Love me some arm candy.
Alright so I have to admit I am feeling a little bit nostalgic today. In honor of Throwback Thursday I thought I would go back in time and reminisce on some of my favorite memories from my 26.2′s. I think what I love most about this race distance is that it seems like such a long way to go but you come out on the other side a different person than when you first arrived. I enjoy the journey through those miles more than anything else.
-My first marathon back in October 2010 – the Chicago Marathon. I remember how nervous but oh so excited I was to run this race. I had trained all summer long with my running group so I knew I was ready. Boy did I not really know what I was getting myself into though. After mile 20 you start thinking…’wait, so why am I doing this‘? ‘I am never doing this again!’ Then it becomes a TEST of your will and mental fortitude. The remaining 6.2 is ALL HEART. It’s something you can’t quite explain or understand unless you have been through it. I truly crossed that finish line a different person.
With some awesome people.
I loved the city of Chicago…the sights, the diversity…oh and the Garrett’s popcorn. Now that was the highlight of my trip.
-Feb 2011- Rock N Roll New Orleans Marathon. I signed up for this race with my running buddy Lori. I was so excited to run down in the bayou. New Orleans is an amazing city with so much rich culture and amazing cuisine. It’s also so much fun to run there! The course was mostly flat and the weather is always ideal that time of year. I shaved about 30 minutes off of my previous time down in the Nola. It was an amazing feeling. I also raised $1,500 through the American Cancer Society in memory of my late aunt who lost her battle to brain cancer. She was an avid runner and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was watching over me and pushing me the entire way.
-Oct 2011- the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. I trained for this race all summer with my dear running buddies. Boy was it hot that summer! I was ready to run in some cold weather. And cold it was – a blustery 30 something degrees. Cold weather makes me want to run FAST! And run fast I did. I P.R.’d that year with a time of 3:54. I felt on top of the world and on top of my running game.
-Feb 2012- Galveston Mardi Gras Marathon. I signed up for this race on an absolute whim just so I could run on the beach by the water. Plus Galveston is just a fun place. I trained for this race solo while also volunteer coaching the spring program over at Luke’s Locker. Race day it was raining like gangbusters with near 40 mph winds. Totally unexpected but I told myself to stay strong, and keep my mental game tight. If any race tested my mental and physical strength, it would have been this one. I look back on this race with a smile on my face because I know how hard I fought for that 3:56 time. Plus having my sweetheart there cheering me on the whole way was just the icing on the cake!
-Oct 2012- Back to the Marine Corps Marathon for another go round. This was a comeback race for me following an injury I had suffered during the springtime. A pulled hip flexor is nothing to play with ya’ll! After rehabbing it for MONTHS and no running I started training and slowly ramping back up my mileage. I gradually gained my strength back in the summer after lots of slow running and decided to make a go of it. Definitely not my best time here but I loved running by the sights and monuments in D.C. I just enjoyed the ride and running it with some incredible friends. After the race I stayed in D.C. for a week and enjoyed a nice vacation. Also got to catch up with some of my bestest buds from college which was so much fun.
-Feb 2013- There is a trend here with Oct/Feb races I guess…so I ran the Cowtown Marathon, a local race here in the DFW area, a few months back. I trained solo for this race and went into it with no expectations (which in my opinion…is the best way to go into a race). I knew the race would be super hilly so I just held on for the ride. The course was beautiful and maintained a great pace and actually felt great the whole way. My heart was definitely in the game. I shaved nearly 20 minutes off of my previous time with a 4:04. Fine by me! I knew I earned that time after fighting through all of those mounds of opportunity.
What marathons or races stick out in your head the most?
Are you training for any full marathons this fall?
This morning I taught my spin class then left the gym with a strange burst of energy. Normally I would rush right home and get ready for work but temps were in the 50s – which is near perfect running weather so I knew I needed to take advantage of it. I threw my running shoes on and set out for a quick 4 mile joyride.
Great run and I still had time after to get some good yoga stretching in.
Last night’s dinner…buffalo chicken wraps. It’s basically like the dip except wrapped up in iceberg lettuce. I will definitely be making these more often since it’s a great lazy girl meal.
I mixed up chopped cooked chicken with light cream cheese and Frank’s buffalo sauce. Bake in the oven at 400 for about 10-15 minutes and let it marinate. Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles on top. Good stuff…I think next time I will add green onions and veggies in the mix.
This morning I rolled outta bed and ran 4.5 miles at an easy 9 minute pace. Humid with temps in the 70s but the occasional breeze and cloud cover helped.
The cherry on top was seeing this beautiful hibiscus at the end. At least I can pretend I’m in Hawaii or the islands somewhere.
Going along with the tropical staycation theme I made myself a post run smoothie with roasted coconut sprinkled on top.
I’m glad I got this run in early because there’s a line of thunderstorms coming in today so I wanted to make sure I didn’t get rained out. That and the fact that I am scheduled to get a 60 minute massage tonight with my favorite therapist. Can’t wait.
Until then I will just be listening to this song on repeat…this one is staying on the playlist.
Any songs you’re listening to on repeat?What’s your favorite thing to put in a lettuce wrap?
Hey hey hey! How was the weekend? Back on that grind today. Workout done – 55 minutes of spin class to kick off my Monday.
This weekend was filled with lots of r & r! Time to charge the batteries and exhale a bit…oh yeah, and run. Lots of runnin’ and gunnin’ involved.
Friday night I did let my hair down a bit and went out to play with the girls for a vino tasting then dinner at Taco Diner.
Made it an early night since I had to get up for a sunrise run with my girl Elyse. 11 miles of straight hills and humidity.
That big steep one in the middle was a killer. It has been a while since I’ve done hill work and it kind of reminded me of this race but I got it done. Mounds of opportunity.
I came home and refueled with a smoothie – strawberries, banana, greek yogurt, coconut almond milk, and agave.
Also my favorite thing to eat post run. Nothing like ice cold watermelon after a hot hot run.
Saturday evening I went to church so I could get up and play some more on Sunday Funday. Love that Saturday night option.
The next morning I was up and thought I would get a quick shakeout run in. In 80 degree weather. Kind of reminded me of a sauna but I pushed the pace a bit to see what I could do. Not too shabby.
Cleaned up and had lunch with my cutie pie mama.
Tried the fajita chicken salad at our favorite brunch spot. The patio at Frankie’s never lets us down.
I really enjoyed the low-keyness of this wknd since next weekend I will be in Houston for Memorial Day with my honey. I can’t wait!!
How was your weekend?Restful, crazy fun, productive?
What’s your favorite meal of the day?
I would have to say brunch.
Did anyone PR or run a rockstar race this weekend?
And just in case you need a good laugh…check out this little throwback of me getting my cert for Hip Hop Hustle. I’m the one hiding in the background on the right in red.
Have a fabulous Friday!
What are you doing this weekend?Anyone racing or long running it?
What’s your favorite spring fashion (or running) essential?
