Friday, January 20, 2012

Friday

I stayed home from work today. I don't know if it was the marathon or just general life-exhaustion, but I felt like a cinder block all week long. I woke up this morning and thought, "There's no way. I can't do it another day." So I didn't. Sometimes, I really, really love the flexibility of my job.

On grad school:

My first class is a STATS class. MATH. INTENSIVE. Thanks, school counselor. I ordered all my books and printed off all the supplemental readings my professors have posted online. In one class, I've already filled up an entire 1-1/2" binder with extra stuff to read. I already have about 200 pages to read and a quiz on Tuesday. I'm half terrified, half exhilarated!

I haven't done any exercise since the marathon. True fact. Going dancing tonight though, so...I'm counting that as my first foray back into aerobic activity.

Have you seen this? I watch it about five times a day.


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Go Cougs!


My first class of grad school is tonight, and I’m really excited to open this new chapter of my little life!



I’m taking three classes this semester:

Principles of Human Learning
Introduction to Educational and Psychological Measurement (starts tonight!)
Cultural Foundations of American Education

By the time I was done with my undergrad degree, I was SO burnt out on school. I felt like it was unnecessarily expensive, and I honestly thought all my professors were a joke. Grades were absolutely not realistic or preparing me for “the real world,” and anything that didn’t directly benefit my education, I was against. (For example, I WORKED during college – if I wanted to skip three classes because you were boring as hell and I was exhausted, why shouldn’t I be allowed to?) (Also, I graduated Magna Cum Laude.)

I have a different attitude going into the Educational Psychology program. Even though I work full time, I’m excited about everything I’m going to be learning, and I’m invested in the studies because this is the direction I want my life to go. I know every little thing we do in life matters (firmly believe that), and I’m ready to focus my efforts and attention during these next months and years to achieve great things on both a short and long term scale.

I also downloaded a new calorie counting app I read about here, and I LOVE it! My goal is to lose 3 pounds by February first, so I’m on a daily allowance of a little over 1200 calories (unless I exercise, in which case, I’ll obviously eat more). Trust me, I know 1200 calories isn’t a lot, but with school starting and me wanting to do NOTHING after the Houston marathon, I think 1200 cals a day will be fine for a totally sedentary person for a couple weeks (again, I will allow myself more calories on the days I do bust a move).

Here's what I've got so far today:

Please note I've eaten cheese three times today. 



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The Chevron Houston Marathon in Pics

Almost all of these pictures are brought to you by the Ninja's sidekick/fiance. 







Monday, January 16, 2012

Mini Recap

Second marathon in the books!

I don't have all my pictures from various sources yet, but I think between my parents (who videotaped me running to the finish - how cute!) and Ninja's fiance, there will be some really good ones!

Let me say first off that this marathon was night and day different than Dallas. Yesterday was sunny, cool for the most part and way more fun running with people I knew, on streets I knew. Our corral and pace leader was easy to find. There were lots of snacks and spectators throughout the whole thing, and the finish line was SO fun to come to - lots of music, cheering and spectators making a ruckus! I felt like a rockstar, despite not feeling like one at all.

I'm proud of myself that I ran all the way to mile 22 this time without stopping, as opposed to 18 last time. I definitely started feeling the Wall creeping in between 18 and 20 but was able to keep pushing through. After 20, I was straight up ready to be done, and at 22 I finally decided I wanted/needed to walk if I was going to enjoy the rest of the marathon. I alternated walking and running until 25 and then got a huge burst of energy and sprinted (okay, it FELT like a sprint but I'm sure it was actually more like a slow death crawl) to the finish. That finish line, seeing my parents, was one of the most glorious moments of my life. The sun was shining, music was blasting, and I knew this would be my last distance run for quite a while.

My marathon days are officially over (but I hear that's what they all say).

Sorry there are no pictures just yet. I did run behind Mattress Mac for about a mile, and I also ran past George Bush, Sr.! I ate bananas, pretzels and gummy bears on the course, as well as 3 of my 4 Gu's. Le Ninj and I got a couple shout-outs from our matchy shirts, and I saw a handful of friends along the way, which is always, always a HUGE encouragement!

I'm pretty sure I shaved only a couple minutes off my Dallas time, but I'm still so happy with yesterday!

And now, it's off to a celebratory lunch with THE LADIES!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Let's Do It Again!

The Houston marathon is fiiiinally tomorrow, and I am equally nervous and excited!

Already the organization surrounding this marathon blows Dallas out of the water. The French Ninj and I went to the expo and retrieved our bibs today.

All Immodiumed up and READY TO RUN!

We also geeked out and made matching shirts for race day tomorrow, which makes me laugh and also motivates me to keep up with her because people will definitely not get the joke if we're not side by side (specifically with her running to the left of me).

The energy in downtown Houston today was unbelievable - the Olympic time trials added an extra crispness to the already gorgeous day.

Tomorrow is supposed to be 60's and cloudy. Just as long as there's no rain, I am pumped!

I don't want to put the cart before the horse (because I haven't even started let alone finished the dang thing), but I am so jazzed to be running another marathon, and to be running with friends, and to be running in a city I know. Our goal for tomorrow is a sub-5 hour with no walk breaks. I have no doubt in the Ninja, and I'm hopeful for myself. Assuming everything goes well, this will be my last marathon for the time being.

Anyways, God is good! So many things to be thankful for - so, so many things!

Until tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Rosencrantz

'We cross our bridges when we come to them, and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.'
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead


Sometimes it's just about getting across the bridge and knowing you can burn it behind you if you want or you can leave it there knowing you've conquered it. 


Also, this quote for some reason reminds me of The Hunger Games and makes me REALLY excited for the movie. 


Marathon in THREE DAYS! Nervous poops in full force!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

No Excuses!

Against all my better judgment I've gotten involved in the Biggest Loser saga again this season.

Dangit. 
I tuned in to one episode because I wanted to see who replaced Anna Kournikova, who replaced my beloved Jillian. Turns out Bob Harper's trainer-competitor this season is this guy:

Dolvett Quince
Well...who the heck are you?! You can't just show up on the Biggest Loser ranch and expect me to love you more than my second-best-to-Jillian, Bob!

Hello, you gorgeous blonde man (so not my type.)! 
Anyways, the theme this Spring is No Excuses, and I'm hooked already. Sometimes I have so many excuses for every possible issue in my life, I get tired of hearing myself talk. My favorites are hunger and boredom --- they are my quintessential excuses for some of the messes I get myself into.

I got invited to be a +1 to a wedding shower in New Braunfels in early February by someone I spent some time with in Colorado a few years back. Perfect reason to enact my own little Biggest Loser No Excuses ordeal.

If I could get as obsessed with my own healthy living as I do with these strangers, I'd be in great, great shape.

I'm off to see this little film tonight:

I lost a bet and he got to choose when, where and what movie we would go see. Otherwise I would NOT be seeing a Cold War movie...on a Wednesday night at 7...in a very cramped theater. ...But I'm also kind of not mad about it. ;)

Monday, January 9, 2012

Confesh

I'm trying to lose weight.

There, I said it.

I'm 5'5 1/2, and I weigh 130 pounds. I'm active, and I usually eat pretty reasonably, even though I'm a big believer in indulgence in moderation.

I'm not heavy or large (this weight loss isn't about false humility), but over the past few months, I've become uncomfortable. And that's why I'm trying to lose weight.

I am proud of my body and how it can perform for me. I'm about to run my second marathon in two months - I'm not ashamed of a little extra jiggle if it means I can go farther and harder than ever before.

But, my work clothes are tighter than they should be. And that's why I'm trying to lose weight.

I don't want my "fat" jeans to fit so well, and that's why I'm trying to lose weight.

I think about my body too much, and that's also why I'm trying to lose weight.

So here's my plan. By February 1, I want to be 127 pounds. That's three pounds between now and then (21 days). It's not as easy as it sounds because this week I'm tapering, which means I can't go all out with weights and cardio. Next week I start grad night-school. Three pounds should be no problem, but any amount of weight loss is a psychological and physical challenge.

Diet is my biggest obstacle. Hunger makes me crazy. I would rather work out three hours a day and eat all I want than buckle down on portion control and diet. But I didn't gain this weight by working out three hours a day, ya know.

I want my final resting weight to be 122 or 123. It's going to be a lot harder to go from 127 to 122 than from 130 to 127, but I know my body, and I know I feel at my best right around 122, 123. I'm going to give myself more time to drop those pounds, maybe a pound a month (that would take me to June).

So this is a lot of yammering to say I know I'm not fat, but I want to feel my best, and right now I don't. I'm proud of myself, this weight or any other, but I'm ready to not let discomfort at the office or second-guessing outfits with friends even be concerns of mine.

Slow, steady and healthfully. For a visual just imagine me working out in my study with Jillian Michaels, sweat literally flying all over the place. :) Now we're talkin'!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Blue Ivy

There's just something about my girl Beyonce that I love. Love her music, love her attitude, love her man. LOVE her music videos. 


Not sure if you're the only person on the planet who hasn't heard this yet, but she had a little girl this weekend. And by that I mean she had the entire floor of a hospital in New York cleared out for 1.5 million dolla-dolla-bills-y'all so she could have a C-section in peace. Beyonce style.

Houston marathon is in exactly one week. I'm EXCITED! I'm ready to RUN!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Run Happy

Today a wonderful thing happened to me...

These babies are luminescent!

I crossed over from the old to the new. Goodbye, Old Brooks. Hello, New! Brought to me courtesy of Zappos. "Run Happy" is the Brooks slogan, and that's exactly what I did tonight in my GTS 11's after a good 30 minute Shred.

Does anyone else kind of dread the new shoe glow? I felt like everyone tonight at the gym was looking at me like, "Oh look, that girl had a New Year's Resolution to work out more, so she bought new shoes. How sweet."

It's not easy saying goodbye to my old GTS 11's. They carried me through quite a hard, sweaty, awesome season of life, but sliding my feet into these new kicks made me feel like a new woman. It's amazing how a shoe changes and kind of collapses throughout its short life. I figured I'd break these in before the Chevron Houston Marathon coming up on Jan. 15, and then I'd let them basically just carry me through 26 and some-odd miles on race day.

Anyways. Fair wwell, old friends. Many thanks, and don't worry, I'll still be pulling you out for random walks and when I can't find the newbies. Y'all are like the Velveteen Rabbit in shoe form now.


Not sure what's dirtier - my post-workout face or these nasty old things. Oh well, we're practically one anyways.
First Friday of the year tomorrow! Holla!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Post-Itless Post-It Wisdom Wednesday


Sigh.
Slower is always better.
Unless you're doing an interval workout at the gym.


...then it can't end fast enough.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Soups of our Lives

...One Life to Soup?
...As the Soup Turns?

Oh whatever, this is a post about soup.

I am not a food blogger or photographer; I'm the first to admit these pictures do not make this look meal look appetizing, so you just have to trust my impeccable judgment.

This is a little dish I've eaten at least the last four days in a row. It's quasi-healthy, and more importantly, it tastes like a million bucks. This guy recommended it to me.


Ingredients: head of broccoli (chopped), EVOO, garlic (chopped) and salt. [This is how Rachel Ray does her starting lineup for Week in a Day. Respek.]

Add to simmering water. [Yes, I agree that broccoli in water is not appetizing. This picture is no exception.] Only let it go for 3-5 minutes.

Offer Pug the last bit of the carrot you were munching on.

Regret the offer when pandemonium ensues.

Drain brocc.

Add to your favorite brand of tomato soup (mine is organic and comes in a box). Add cheese, scoop with saltines.
 Yum. Lately it's been followed up with Haagen Dazs strawberry and lemon sorbets.

Tonight after much backing and forthing with myself, I shredded and then lifted some weights. I only did it because I made a list and forced myself to work out before I could do any of the subsequent fun things on the list (that means you, bloggy!).

1. Sometimes lists are necessary.
2. Sometimes it's fun just to write your list out so you can cross stuff off of it and have a sense of accomplishment. 

Now I'm going to get my clothes ready for tomorrow (yes, that was another fun thing on the list!), meditate, journal and read. And maybe paint my nails (that was an optional fun thing). Good night!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Back to the Grind

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sad about going back to work tomorrow. These past two weeks have FLOWN by, and every bit of the time off has been glorious.

They say all good things must come to an end, but I'm looking forward to the little sweet spots that come with the grind. Working isn't always my favorite thing, but obviously I have no choice, and I believe there's a lot of wisdom and growth to be found in doing the things you HAVE to do, rather than only the things you WANT to do.

Maybe someday my have to's and want to's will align. :)

To send off my vacation, I went to the dog park, the movies and the grocery store. Two of those things I really enjoyed. I worked out, I ate some delicious ice cream, I even meditated and now I'm winding down with some journaling and reading.

Five a.m. is gonna come way. too. fast.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Beginnings

Ahhh, Beginnings. Remember how I'm working on upping the sappy quality of my post titles? One point for me!

Okay, but...before we get into Beginnings, I think we need to have a word on Endings.

Yesterday was all around the best year ending I've ever had. I ran not a few miles. (Bonus: I think after all my runs this past year, all toenails remaining in tact, yesterday's run is going to claim not one toenail but two. I am that hardcore.) (I also have never chaffed so bad in my entire life. Hard. Core.)

I met up with some friends. Awesome, hilarious girlfriends. And then I went across town and met up with some more friends, who hosted a faboosh party. Then I went back across town and ended the night with that original group of awesome, hilarious girlfriends. And it was all good - very, very good! This was a New Year's Eve without stress, worry, any negative emotions or sadness. It was perfect, and it made me so, so thankful to end the year surrounded by all the best parts of 2011.

So that being said I'm just going to let these pictures speak for themselves and you can infer all the laughter, merriment and 2012 postulating that happened...
















So THAT was a great night. And with that, I'm leaving behind 2011.

Today, I've lounged around and eaten a VERY cream cheese-y bagel and journaled and - most awesome thing ever alert - paid my last month's rent at my current apartment. Halleluuuu!

...And now it's time to get out of bed and get stuff done. LOTS to do in 2012, no time to spare! :)

All the best to you in this most wonderful New Beginning, First Day of the Year, Clean Slate, etc. This is our year. :)