Well hello there…

I know it’s quite sad that I haven’t posted since September.  I guess I was in a blog rut, and as many times as I tried to come back, I got distracted and walked away.  There were many posts that I began writing, but honestly, I just didn’t feel like writing.  However, I miss blogging, so I’m back!  Since it’s been so long, I’ll give you a quick re-cap on three big things that have happened since my last post.

1) I moved out of my parents house into an apartment!  I don’t have any pictures to show you, but I like in a great little community with a gorgeous gym.  There is a running/bike path that goes for well over 10 miles surrounding the whole area.  It makes working out outside such a pleasure!

2) I ran the PHILADELPHIA MARATHON!!!!!!!  After the marathon, I said that I would never run another one.  It was really really hard!  However, now that it’s been a few months, I think I take that back.  I like the distance of the half better, but the marathon was a huge accomplishment for me.  It was a ton of fun, and I learned that I can do anything I put my mind to.  

 

3) I got certified to teach BOKWA!

 

 For those of you who have never heard of Bokwa, here is a great video.  Basically, Bokwa is a new dance fitness craze that combines light boxing with Kwaito style dancing.  It is a phenomenal workout, and SO much fun!  Presently, it is sweeping through the UK, and hopefully it will soon grow through the US.  I am obsessed with it, and I can’t wait to start teaching.  There aren’t many classes in the United States yet, but if you live in California or the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area, you should be able to find one.

 I’m sorry that I’ve been a slacker.  I hope that you all forgive me!!!  I have been keeping up on your lives, even if I haven’t been commenting.. I have been reading!  Happy 2012!  I hope that I can keep up with writing.  It’s been WAY too long!

Rock and Roll Philadelphia 2011

It’s almost been a week since the Philly Rock and Roll Half Marathon.

It was truly AMAZING!

The day started off with my alarm blaring at 4:45am.  I met Kace at 6:00 and we were on our way.  This was her first half, and I am SO proud of her for completing it!

While looking around for my friend Vee, we spotted another friend, Lauren:

This was her first half marathon too.  Not that I ever want to feel the pain that I felt after my first half, but I wish that every half I had that same excitement as I did with the first.  That anticipation of what’s going to happen next is always exciting to me (I guess I’ll have that at the marathon though- ahh!)

The race began at 8:00am and we were still looking for Vee around 7:55.  Finally, we found her and Kace split off and went to our separate corrals.  Vee was in corral 6 and I got myself changed to her corral so that we could start together.  By the time we got up there, the corral was completely full and there was a line outside.  Luckily, people let us join in as the corrals moved up.

I was going to give you a play-by-play of the miles, but they really all seem to run together. Some memorable moments:

Mile .65 ~ Jarryd and my parents were walking up to get ready to stand at mile 5 and saw me running.  Jarryd came running towards the crowd so I could see that they were there.  It was a definite boost!

Mile 5 ~ I saw the family and Jarryd again, but I was so into the run that I almost missed them!

Miles 6 & 7 ~ I spent a lot of the time looking for K.C.’s family, but never found them.

Mile 9 ~ I stopped for a potty break (I didn’t want a repeat of the half where my bladder hurt afterwards for a whole day)

Mile 12 ~ Started grinning from ear to ear knowing that I hadn’t hit a wall

Mile 12.75 ~ I saw people that I knew on the sidelines and started screaming for them.

Mile 13 ~ Saw my family and Jarryd, who shot an awesome pic of how I was feeling…

Finish line:  I had my hands in the air screaming!!  I’m pretty sure the guy next to me (3 feet in front of me) was trying to figure out what was in my gu that wasn’t in his.  Little did he know, I don’t take Gu’s on half marathons.  So there..

Normally, after a half, I am physically and mentally exhausted.  I went into the half not knowing what to expect.  I told myself that I would walk if I had to.  I told myself that this was really becoming a “training run” for the full.  I told myself that I had to stay positive, and that I could do this.  I know that this wasn’t my first race, but I hadn’t done more than 10 miles in a training run and my shorter runs were scarce throughout the training period.

I don’t know if it was the mental thing, but I really rocked this race.  I felt comfortable the entire time.  I never felt like I needed a water stop, but I stopped at them all like I promised I would.  My official race time was 2:17ish, but I stopped for about 2 minutes for a potty break.  I honestly could have cared less what my time was though. I just wanted to stay at a steady pace and finish feeling like I could go at least 5 more miles if I had to.  I think I could’ve gone 5 more, but 13 more would have been really rough.  That’s what training is for though.. right?

It was a great race, and it really made me remember what I love about running.  Stay tuned for marathon training.  Hopefully it’ll go well!

Question of the day: Will you stop for a bathroom break during a race.  I fought with myself for a good 5 miles before I gave in, but I hate having to stop.  

This past week’s workouts: Sunday:  1/2 marathon, Monday: rest, Tuesday: 3 mile run, Wednesday: 7 mile run, taught Zumba, abs, Thursday: 4 mile run, Friday: rest, Saturday: Zumba, abs… 10 mile run planned for tomorrow.

All my bags are packed…

Today is the big day… the Philadelphia Rock and Roll Half Marathon!  I’m excited and nervous at the same time.  Actually, I’m really not that nervous which kind of makes me feel nervous if you know what I mean.  It’s presently 51 degrees out, and by the time I’m done the race, it shouldn’t be more than 62 degrees.  This makes me happy and sad at the same time.  I am happy because I run much better when it’s not hot out.  If you remember my re-cap of last year (which I’m sure you don’t), it was about 90 degrees when I finished the race.  I looked like this..

ING Half Marathon: September, 2010

Actually, that picture really doesn’t do justice as to how sweaty I actually was.  It was HOT!!!  Today, I am planning on freezing for the first few miles, which makes me a little bit nervous.  I’ve been training in shorts and a tank, and I have been sweating my butt off within mile one.  I was planning on wearing shorts and a tank for this run.  Instead, I put together capris and a short sleeved shirt that I haven’t worn since last running season.  I’m really hoping that I don’t regret it, and part of me wants to bring another outfit in case I change my mind in the car.  Not to mention, the outfit I’m wearing is much tighter than any of my other running clothes, and I don’t love short sleeves (or capris).  I am still going back and forth as to what to do and I have to leave in a half an hour.  Anyway.. it’s race day!!!  YEAH!!  Come back for the re-cap sometime later- and KC, I promise I will recap faster than usual just for you!!

Marathon???

My half marathon is this weekend.  I was seriously scared about this, as out of my five ten milers, the first three weren’t exactly stellar.  Yes, that’s right, apparently I thought it was necessary to do five ten mile runs.  The first three weren’t horrible, but they weren’t as easy as I had remembered 10 mile runs.  That could have something to do with the heat, as the last two weeks I have felt like a rock-star, and  I feel super prepared now.  I don’t think that this weekend’s half will be as fast as those in the past, but I feel ready, and that’s what’s important.. right??

Anyway, I got home from my 5 mile recovery run today (did 10 miles yesterday) and I felt awesome.  I felt so awesome that I figured that I would sign up for the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November, but it’s SOLD OUT!??!?  Seriously?!?!  I’m so sad.

So, I went over and clicked on the “Marathon” link to find that it isn’t sold out.  I got this idea in my head that I should sign up for the marathon, and now I’m obsessing over the thought.  I’m already halfway through training, so why not?  Can I run a marathon?  How hard is the training?  Will I have time to train and teach Zumba?  Is a marathon that much harder than a half marathon?  Ah, the thoughts are endless.. what to do…

What do you guys think???

10 Things Thursday

1) One of my best friends is a newlywed!  Her wedding was this past weekend, and it was BEAUTIFUL.  I was a bridesmaid, and was truly honored.  I know a lot of people complain about being a bridesmaid, but it was really a pleasure to be Stacey’s bridesmaid.  She is truly beautiful inside and out.

2) Umm.. the half marathon that I’m running is next Sunday… really?  I’m a little nervous, but I have been succeeding a little more in both short and long runs.  Last Friday, I did a very successful 10 miler.  It felt glorious.

3) I was supposed to run this morning, but it was pouring when I got up at 4:45 (not that I run outside in the morning, but I didn’t even want to get into the car.. it was that bad), so instead I did “Yoga Meltdown.”  I forgot how good of a workout that is!  My arms are actually sore.

4)  If my abs don’t look like Jillian Michaels (or the girls in her videos), then how come they “feel the burn” and I don’t?  This is referring to the “No More Trouble Zones” video that I did last night.  Anyone else feel that way?

5) I cooked dinner Tuesday, Wedensday, and tonight.. win!

6) The rain here is out of control.  The creeks and rivers are all flooding.  Today, it took me 50 minutes to get to work, and it usually doesn’t take me more than 15.

7) The Phillies swept the Braves this past week.  Go Phillies!

8 ) I have about 10 returns to make, and not enough time to do them.  Anyone else ever have this problem?  How did I have time to shop, but not enough time to return??

9) Did I talk about this rain yet?  Are we in Seattle or something?

10) I am queen of reading a book because it came out in movies, and I don’t like to see movies if I haven’t read the book.  This means that I need to read the “Hunger Games” ASAP!  Anyone read it yet?  I have read “The Help” for this reason, and haven’t had time to see the movie yet.  I need to plan that in my near future.

An un-planned 11.. I tried to put pictures in this post, but WordPress won’t let me.  I don’t know what’s up with that.

This weeks workouts (more as a log- not because you care):

Friday- 10 mile run; Saturday- Spartacus; Sunday- rest; Monday- Spartacus; Tuesday- 4 mile run, taught Aqua Zumba; Wednesday- No More Trouble Zones, Zumba; Today- Yoga Meltdown, taught Zumba, and taught Aqua Zumba

Jay Robbs and Vitatops.. yumm!

I almost wrote this whole long boring post about things that I really need to do to get my rear in gear for the 2011-2012 school year, and then I remembered that you don’t really care, or at least when I write posts like that, no one reads.  It included things like organizing my stuff, cleaning, etc.- again, you probably don’t care.  So, instead, I’ve decided to do a review of 2 of my food staples in the past few weeks.

Jay Robbs Whey Protein Powder

I haven’t had the strawberry, but the vanilla and chocolate are amazing!  The ingredients and nutrition are as follows:

I love that it has no sugar, barely any carbohydrates, and only 110 calories.  I also love the taste of it.. seriously, I had a protein shake after my workout last night instead of dessert and I felt so much more satisfied.  I used the chocolate last night, but sometimes the vanilla is nice if I’m not in a chocolate mood (which isn’t often).  The vanilla will also be good to bulk up oatmeal or make some sort of muffin, brownie, etc.  I probably won’t bake with it, but just a thought.  I am in love with this protein, and I can usually find a sale on it, which makes it even better.

Vitatops

I have been buying vitatops at the grocery store in packs of 4 for the last few months.  I had been going online and putting different products in a basket and then I couldn’t  get myself to order food online.  I don’t know what I was waiting for!  I got the bundle pack, because I couldn’t justify getting just chocolate (although I really thought about it), but I’m really glad that I went with the variety pack.

I am a creature of habit, so I was really proud of myself for not just getting the deep chocolate.  I have tried the peanut butter and chocolate, the apple crumb, and the banana ones as well.  I haven’t had one that I don’t like.  They are AMAZING!

Here is the nutrition label, but they vary slightly between the different flavors:

For a better idea, head over to their website.  Oh, and I should tell you that neither company is paying me, and neither company sent anything to me (I wouldn’t say no to an offer though ).  I just really wanted to share them with you.

Question of the day: Do you eat anything specific that most people (outside of the blogworld/health food world) question you about?  

Lastly, here are my workouts since my last post.. if you don’t care, don’t read, but since this is supposed to be about running and workouts, I like to put them here.

8/13- Zumba; 8/14- Spartacus, P90X abs; 8/15- 20 minute abs, 40 minute strength, 3 mile run; 8/16- Pilates, Zumba; 8/17- 4 mile run, Zumba Toning, Zumba; 8/18- Aqua Zumba, Zumba; 8/19- 10 mile run; 8/20- Zumba; 8/21-Zumba; 8/22- 5 mile run, zumba; 8/23- 20 minute strength, Bokwa

I am heading out now for a short 3 mile run and I have Zumba and Zumba Toning tonight.  If you’re thinking that I don’t have a rest day, I know.. I’m working on that.

Have a happy Wednesday!

Tanks and shorts.. oh and a ten mile run

Wow.. I forgot how hard it is to do a ten mile run.  Somehow, I made it through, but it wasn’t easy.. not as easy as I remember anyway.  Actually, the first 6 or so miles weren’t so bad, but once I got to like 7, my knees were hating me.  My right ankle was also bothering me too.  Oh, well.. ten miles is ten miles, no matter how I got there.  I am proud, but definitely happy that there is a month left of training.  I don’t think I could run a half marathon next weekend.

For this run, I tested out some new running gear.

Front view

Back View

I don’t know what’s going on with my hand in that pic…

Running view (or really awkward view)

The top is Lululemon.  I can’t find the name of it on the website anymore, but it has a built in bra, but is still baggy.  It’s lightweight and it felt really good during the run.  I bought it in the store, and they had a ton, so I’m not really sure why I can’t find the name.  Although Lululemon is expensive,  I really do love this top.  Their pants and shorts aren’t a great fit for me, but the tanks.. love!

The shorts are UnderArmor (surprise).  They are a new short: The Women’s Great Escape 3″ Run Short.  What you can’t see is that they have a wider waist band than most running shorts.  I LOVE THEM!!!  Obviously, these aren’t the same color, but you can see the waist band.

Any good workout gear you’ve bough in the last month or two?

As far as the run.. I added another double digits to my list, and I was really only supposed to do 9 miles, so hopefully next week will be easier.. oh gosh I hope so!!!

Question of the day: Totally unrelated to this post, but what is one thing you really want to get done over the summer that you haven’t (or want to do again)?  I’d like to get to the beach again, but if not, I’d like to spend a day relaxing by the pool.  

Ten Things Thursday

1) This past Tuesday was my birthday.  I turned 27.  As a little kid, 27 seemed so old, but I don’t really feel that old.  When I was in middle school, I’m pretty sure that I thought I’d be married with kids right now.  What was I thinking?  I’m happily in love (not married), but definitely not ready for kids right now.

2) I never thought that I would say this, but I sincerely miss running.  With all this Zumba that I’m doing, I have no time for it (other than my long runs), but I think I’m going to set up a schedule where I run in the morning.  Let’s hope it works this time.

3) I bought really fun glasses from Urban Outfitters.  I’m not really sure why I felt the need to buy really fun glasses, and I have awesome real glasses, but it was my birthday and I thought it was totally necessary.

4) Today is the first Eagles game.  Hopefully they go to the Superbowl this year.  Honestly though, I care much more about the Phillies, but we have a kick-butt football team this year.

5) I have started eating more protein.  My first step in eating more protein has been to snack on hard-boiled egg whites throughout the day.  No, I don’t eat the yolk.  For some reason, the yolk totally creeps me out… ugh ew!  I am attempting to have 3 egg whites per day right now.

6) As hot as Leonardo DiCaprio was, I don’t think he is that good looking anymore.  I do, however find  Ryan Phillipe to be absolutely adorable.

7) Speaking of Ryan Phillipe, go rent “Lincoln Lawyer.”  He is seriously creepy in it, but it is a phenomenal movie.

8 ) Also speaking of “Lincoln Lawyer,” Matthew Mcconaughey isn’t so bad looking either.

9) Off to more serious topics- I am presently reading “The Help.”  I am obsessed with it.  I have not met one person who could say anything bad about it.  Please go read it if you haven’t yet.

10) Colored jeans are back in style.  This makes me happy.

I LOVE THEM!!!

Okay.. off to bed.  I have a long run (9 or 10 miles) planned for the morning.  It’s really my rest day, but Sunday’s forecast is rain, so I’m hoping for tomorrow.  We’ll see how it goes.

One Lovely Blogger

K.C. tagged me in a post about 2 weeks ago, and since I’m a great blogger, I’m just getting to it now.  Sorry….  Thanks for the nomination Kace, but I definitely don’t deserve it, however I’ll run with it…

The tag says that I need to list 7 random facts about me, so here goes nothing:

1. K.C. and I have known each other since Elementary School.  We both played the flute, and we even performed a duet way back when.  Although we don’t get to see each other that much anymore, I still love her as much as I always did.  She is a true inspiration to me, and her optimism and enthusiasm for everything that she does has always amazed me.

Then…

and now…

We look the same… don’t we?

2) I have always been a “fish.”  The majority of my birthday parties were spent at a pool.  I never understood people who didn’t want to go to the pool?  Honestly, if I was at the pool, I could find something to do even when I was alone.  True story.. I used to pretend the lane lines were a balance beam and would do endless amounts of flips on them.  I wonder what the lifeguards thought I was doing.

3) I had kidney surgery when I was 10.  I don’t have any pictures, but I’m also pretty sure that you don’t want to see pictures of my surgery.  I have a pretty big scar on my lower back.  People used to ask me about it all the time, but I haven’t gotten many questions lately.

4) I was obsessed with Leonardo DiCaprio as a teenager.  My screenname was even Leo8984.  I tried to pull it off that it was for my Zodiac sign (which it is.. my birthday is tomorrow), but really it was all about Leo.  He was so dreamy…

5) I have been told that I have a very infectious giggle.

6) I come from a family of Penn Staters.. both of my parents went to Penn State, I went to Penn State, and my brother is there now.

My graduation (2006)

Penn State Football Game (somewhere around 2007-2008)

7) I love quotes, and I love decorating with quotes.  My new favorite is this canvas:

I plan on it being one of my first purchases when I’m decorating an apartment.

Well.. there you have it… seven random quotes about me.  That was really hard!  I’m not going to tag anyone, but if you’d like to post seven random facts about yourself, go ahead and say I tagged you.  You’re all lovely bloggers.

PS: Not one of my facts, but I just turned on “The Bachelor Pad” and I never watched “The Bachelor” really, but Vienna is so annoying!  Ugh.. seriously, I can’t stand her and I’ve only seen her on TV for 5 minutes.

It works for me…

Yesterday was Friday, aka rest day, however I got a little antsy and decided late Thursday night that instead of rest day, I really should just get my long run done and over with.  I set my alarm for 5:30am.  I really didn’t think I’d wake up, but I had good intentions.

I also did the same thing last Thursday night and when I woke up at 5:30, I talked myself into cleaning my room instead.  It was really needed, and my clothes were getting way out of hand.   It worked out in the long run (no pun intended) because last Saturday I was in Cape May for the day and I did the easiest 7 miles.  My mom and her friends always spend a week there, so Jar and I went and visited for a day.  My mom and her friends went for a nice long walk, so I ran on the Promenade, and Jarryd ran on the beach since he forgot his sneakers.  It was a perfect morning!

After the run in Cape May!

Yes, we matched.. oops!

Anyway, back to yesterday morning.  I woke up to my alarm and for the first time in a very long time, embraced the alarm and got right up.  I had 8 miles in the plan book, but was hesitant, as I’ve only been doing my long runs (I teach a lot of Zumba and do some strength work during the week).  I know it’s not ideal, but it works for me.

I was feeling that I needed something different, and I had read that some other bloggers listened to books on tape while running.  I didn’t think it would work for me, but I’m always willing to try everything once.  I downloaded “One for the Money” and went on my happy way.

I loved listening to a book while I ran.  It really helped me to get lost in the run.  The run itself wasn’t my best, but it certainly wasn’t my worst.  I don’t really worry about time, and I finished the 8 miles, so I call it a success.. a hot mess, but a success.

After the run, I did what bloggers do and took a self portrait or how sweaty I was.  I’m pretty sure this is the only community where it is socially acceptable to take a picture of yourself and your absolute grossest moment.

This is semi-sad since it was only around 70 degrees, and probably one of the coolest mornings this summer.

I also took a picture (or attempted to) of my hair so you could see how I get it to stop from sticking under my armpits.  Anyone else have that problem?  My hair has gotten so long lately, and I absolutely love it, but it’s just long enough that it’s getting stuck on my sweat on my back, and under my armpits.. eww!!  So, here is what I have decided on for now…

Yes.. a nice long braid.  It works for me.

Question of the day: Where is your favorite place to run?  I’d have to go with the beach.