Pizza date and a BIC bands review.

OK so before I go into any of the two above mentioned topics I must comment on how much I am loving the new Starbucks LOVE cup.

I vote for Starbucks to switch it up around every holiday. Like a cup for mardi gras…wouldn’t that be fancy?

Oh and speaking of mardi gras…how cool are the Galveston Mardi Gras Marathon race shirts? Bright neon green…such a hot color. Can’t wait to get mine in a few short days.

So last night E decided he wanted to surprise me and take me somewhere to eat for a little date nite, but he wouldn’t tell me where. I really had no idea where we were going since we pretty much go all of the same spots in the Irving area to eat. So we pulled up and I got excited because this was in fact one of the only new places we hadn’t been yet. It was a place called Pie Five, which is a fairly new pizza joint in Las Colinas. Carb loading on a Monday? Score!

The place was a custom, make your own personalized pizza. Of course I am boring and unoriginal so I ordered what I always get, a margherita pizza, with fresh tomatoes and basil.

Eric customized his own, and got sausage, canadian bacon, pepperoni, and chicken. Like a true man. I tried to take a photo of him but he wouldn’t look at the camera. Understandable because we were both hungry.

Overall the place was great, ingredients were super fresh, and I love that they give you your own little pizza. The only child mentality in me can appreciate that.

This morning I set out for a quick 4 mile run. This week I am working on keeping my runs short and easy since I’m tapering for Sunday’s marathon. I was so excited to get my BIC bands and Skinny Runner shirt in the mail. It’s like Christmas time all over again.

So this morning I had to put on the pink BIC band and give it a whirl. They are so sparkly and fun.

It was windy and humid outside, temps right at about 60 degrees. I thought for sure that my BIC band would have fallen off by the time I was done with my sweaty run but it definitely stayed on! That is something I worry about since most headbands I’ve tried before slide right out especially when I start running and sweating. But this one stuck like glue! I can’t wait to try the purple one out.

I have another headband on in the pic below, but I think the purple one will look great with my outfit for the marathon…what do you think?

Do you have a headband or favorite accessory that you like to wear during a run?

What is your favorite kind of pizza? Mine is margherita fo sho. 

TGIFriday Faves.

Last night was definitely a fun time with my Luke’s peeps! We had a great turnout and I got a chance to meet some of the participants in my group. I initially thought we would be only running a little over 3 miles but we ended up doing 4.5 miles! Okay by me since I did some cross training that morning so I was ready to run. I ran with some of the boys and nearly died trying to keep up kept up with some of the fasties. It felt good to get a good run in for the day.

Runners pose a lot! It's a full time job.

This weekend is my last run before Galveston which is 3 weeks away! I will be running 18 miles (12 miles crazy early – yup, 4 am early…in the morning solo, then joining my group to knock out the remaining 6 miles) then teaching dance class at noon. Pray I’m still alive after all of that insanity. I taught a class a few months ago after running a 20 miler so I think I’ll be okay. A little loopy but okay nonetheless.

So since it has been a hot minute since I’ve done a Friday Faves post I figured today would be a good day for that! Oh and it’s Friday the 13th…spooky or not so much?

Here are some of my faves right now…

Starbucks Blonde Roast

Not sure if it’s the catchy name or if it really is that good but sometimes you need some coffee that isn’t going to leave you bouncing off of the walls. So this brew is light and mellow, perfect for a low key morning or when you just want a nice warm treat. They are currently brewing this on tap at Starbucks but they it also comes in their VIA selection so you can purchase it and make it at home too.

Lululemon tote bags

I love this bag because it carries pretty much any and everything, plus it’s the perfect accessory for the gym. Did I mention it’s free when you buy something from there? All the more reason to have one. I usually pack it up with my workout gear to go to the gym after work. Who wouldn’t be motivated to go to the gym with this bag in tow?

Contigo Kangaroo Water Bottle – $12.99

Okay so I don’t have this yet but I’m definitely getting me one! Found off of Pinterest aka my new cheap way of going shopping. Plus they come in all kinds of fun colors.

Cage free brown eggs

So remember when I told you that I’m obsessed with eggs? Yes this still holds true. And I’m very particular about my eggs because they have to be brown and cage free. So anyway Runner’s World says the consumption of eggs is good for runners so there’s my excuse to eat them every morning for breakfast.

Dri-fit shirts

I think these are super essential to have when you’re working out. Especially if you sweat a lot, it’s very important to have tops that absorb all of the moisture. Pretty much every Nike top I’ve seen is dri-fit, but if you are looking for something a little less expensive, Target has these tops in different colors for under $20. I have one in black and white since those pretty much go with everything. I love wearing them when I teach dance or when I’m running.

Running skirts

So what is more fun than running in a skirt? Sorry but I can’t think of anything! I don’t have enough running skirts but am making it my 2012 new year’s resolution to get some more. I have some friends that have these cute Team Sparkle skirts that they wear at races, and those come in all kinds of fun colors. You can also just hit up target and get you a cute fun tutu skirt in the girl’s section. They also come in great colors. I will be wearing the one below for the Galveston marathon. If you’re gonna be a runner, might as well get crazy with the accessories, right?

Race medal rack to display your bling

So my poor lonely medals have just been laying around for years, looking for a home. Happy to say that I finally broke down and decided to purchase a rack to hold all of my race bling! This should be a good weekend project along with cleaning my apartment from top to bottom!

Night races

So since payday equals Chelsea signing up for yet another race, I just signed up for the Firefly run in March! I did this one last year and am looking forward to lighting up the night with some of my Luke’s friends! Last year in the fall we did the 10k but this one is the 5K so I’ll be looking forward to getting some good speedwork in.

Today is my rest & recover day, so I’ll be getting my nails done and resting up for a crazy day tomorrow! Have a good one! 

Hump Day Motivation.

Happy Wednesday morning to you! It is rainy and chilly here in Dallas but I am up and the gear is in drive! Last night I went for a 5 mile run in my new Nike Free winter trainers and I absolutely loved them.

Pink shoelaces light up the night!

I have tried them in the gym and felt like they didn’t give me as much side to side movement but provide me plenty of bounce outside. So outside is where they belong. I think I’ll take these babies for a spin this weekend for my Jog’r Egg Nog’r 15K race. Can I just say how excited I am about this one? Spiked egg nog anyone? No? Too early for such talk?

At the race last year...happily jogging along...

Me & my sweet mama striking a pose

Speaking of races…my proofs came in for the Deck the Trails race…I look angry intense in half of the photos so I’ll spare you the details and just show you one.

finish straight ahead!

I squeezed in an early morning spin class since I have another gift exchange party to attend tonight. This time it’s a purse party w/ coworkers. My gift is all wrapped and ready to go…I bet you can’t guess what kind of purse it is…evening bag, maybe? Louis Vuitton?  Hmm…

So anyway…back to spin class…I tried a new girl’s spin class this morning at 24 Hour Fitness. I liked this class because it starts a little bit later (5:45 as opposed to my usual 5:30 one) so it gave me a little more time to hit the weight machines first. The teacher was really energetic and motivating. She played pretty good music, just typical top 40 hits type of songs. It was warm in the aerobics room though so by the end I was sweating tons! Overall it was a good class…I give It 4 out of 5 gingerbread cookies this morning.

After class I went and grabbed some Tazo Joy tea from Starbucks…just perfect for a rainy day like today! Since I got up so early I made sure to get myself a Venti and I think they made it extra strong because it has 2 teabags in it instead of one. So I’ll be sipping on this all morning while I listen to Christmas music and write promos. Yummy!

So, it has been a little while but I am still loving me some Pinterest. Since I’m feeling extra motivational here are some fitness-related things that have caught my eye (since it’s the holidays, I know we could all use some extra motivation)

What are some motivating words that get you up and moving? 

Friday Faves.

CHEERS to Friday! So very glad the weekend is drawing near. I am looking forward to running, teaching Danceaton class, and going to a gift exchange / pedicure party on Saturday with some girlfriends from the gym. I have yet to get a gift but I plan on venturing out at my lunch hour to find something.

Ladies at the pedi gift exchange last year

gifts galore!

So here are some things I’m digging on this fun festive Friday.

Starbucks Americano

One of my favorite type of espresso coffee drinks, mostly because it is strong and low in calories, unlike a lot of the meal replacement drinks & lattes Starbucks usually carries around the holidays. It’s basically just a few shots of steamed espresso & H20. Just add a splash of half and half, your choice of sweetener, and you’re set! Perfect when paired w/ a reduced fat coffee cake and/or holiday treat

C.O. Bigelow Ultra Mentha Lip Shine, Bath and Body Works

I love the mint flavor…it also leaves a nice cooling sensation on your lips. Great for those dry, chapped lips in the wintertime.

Colorful christmas trees

Why have a typical green christmas tree when you can get fancy w/ colorful trees? They are fun and you don’t have to fuss w/ the live ones, you can just pull this baby out every year. Garden Ridge has them in all kinds of festive colors, I’ve seen silver, gold, black, & pink. I debated between a silver and a white but I ended up with a white tree because I figured you can get a little more creative with it. I found some red garland, colorful ornaments, and a snowflake tree topper for my tree this year.

Jason’s Deli Salad Bar

I’m obsessed w/ their roasted red pepper hummus, fresh veggies always on deck, cornbread/gingerbread mini muffins, and free soft serve ice cream w/ your meal! It’s all you really need! I usually go in there and just grab a salad to go, and can usually get in and out of there really quickly to get back to work. You can also add a cup of soup to your meal for 99 cents! I recommend the fire roasted tortilla soup, it is zesty and delicious! Hmm…I think I will get one today.

Candy stripe leg warmers 

I can’t wait to rock these tomorrow at the Deck the Trails race! I found these at Party City, where they had tons of cute holiday accessories and costumes! I debated between this and a red & green Christmas tutu but the leg warmers won me over. I figure I can get some good use out of them and they would be cute w/ my running outfit in the morning. I think I was a little bit inspired by my leg warmer wearing friend Ali on the Run!

Oh…and speaking of running…it just hit me that I’m 8 weeks away from my next marathon, the Galveston Marathon! 26.2 in 2012 here I come!! 

Are you running a marathon in the spring? Would you buy a colorful christmas tree or do you prefer the green ones?