Saturday, July 31, 2010

A Recipe: How to Be a Saturday Bum

Ingredients:

  • a sofa
  • a television/computer
  • subscription to Netflix
  • Panera Bread (Dominoes, McDonalds substitute will do)
  • blankets
  • wine
  • comfy socks
  • Jammies
  • sense of entitlement
Directions:

First, after a quick run to Target to see if there are any new clothes, stop into Panera Bread for a Two For You black bean soup and Caesar Salad. Use your sense of entitlement (from the long, hard, workweek) to add a very large chocolate chip cookie to order. 


Immediate put on jammies and comfy socks when you return home. Pour a glass of wine (or two- or three) while you eat the Panera Bread goodness. Be sure to take an extra long time to eat all 440 calories of the large chocolate chip cookie.


Once stuffed to the brim, grab a blanket and sit on the couch to enjoy all DVR'd shows from the week (Bethanny's Getting Married and The Bachelorette). After 2+ hours of TV, use sense of entitlement once again to remain on the sofa and watch a Ready to Watch movie from Netflix. The Proposal is a great choice.  

After 4 hours on the sofa, move to the bed for a 3 hour nap.

Repeat every Saturday or as needed.

Monday, July 26, 2010

I got GU babe


didn't make me a Runner
then this
surely does, right?

Buying this today made me so excited to run. I missed (once again) my long run this weekend
(by miss- I mean I was too effin lazy to get out of bed and run and mimosas at Brittany's house seemed like a better idea)
So
Today I had to make up my 7 mile run
but it was going to rain
so I did it all on a treadmill
which physically is easier- but is way harder mentally.
It is the farthest I have ever ran
and I FEEL PUMPED!
maybe it's the GU maybe it's the adrenaline
but I feel great!

I tried the gummy gu today and I think it worked. I really pumped up my last mile and a half.

Today's Eats-
  • bfast- ezekiel english muffin, egg white, horizons cheese and coffee
  • Snack- coffee, greek yogurt, kashi cereal, banana
  • Lunch- OG WW pasta, 1 tomato, ceasar dressing (tablespoon), feta, garbanzo beans
  • Snack- 2 mini bagels with almond butter
  • Dinner- Quinoa with roasted eggplant and feta
  • GU
  • Fruits/Veggies-3
  • Workout- 7 miles 

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Farm Living is the life for me

Reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
I was inspired to head over to the farmers marketing this morning.

I've been a couple times - before our farmers market moved indoors
now all of the sudden the Starbucks toting townsies decided they want to go as well

Needless to say I was totally overwhelmed when walking in. I made a quick round, bought my shish and made an exit.

Driving home, I made new Farmer's Market rules (effective... next Sat.):

RULE #1- Don't take the baskets- a 7 year old literally yelled at me for taking the basket that held the green beans.

RULE # 2- Take 2 not 1 $1 Publix "I love the environment" bags. Reason: I went to one stand and started loading up. They looked in the bag and told me what I owed. Then I went to the next booth and wanted to do the same routine but was afraid that I would have been charged twice (make sense?). THEN the same little girl that yelled at me also gave me a plastic (aka- I HATE the environment) bag to put my food in. Which made me look like a damn fool - posing to love Mother Earth and using the products that suffocate her at the same time

RULE #3 - Buy something new. There were radishes. They were small and in the cutest little bundles that you have ever seen. But I didn't put them in either of the I love or I hate the environment bags. Instead I drove all the way home thinking how cool it would have been to have bought them and found a recipe to them in.

RULE #4- Figure out a way to take fish home- There was a small booth with fresh fish. I wasn't sure how they would do in my 10min drive home. Next time I def want to try some.

RULE #5-  Buy Jam. Ok- this rule might only apply to next Saturday, since I only need one jar.

Here is all the loot I took home with me.

  1. eggplant
  2. 5 tomatoes
  3. 3 lemons
  4. 2 cukes
  5. 2 squashes
  6. soap
  7. green beans (no basket)
Total = $12 all locally grown.




Friday, July 23, 2010

Thursday, July 22, 2010

These are my confessions

My running confessions/realizations
  • I do not like running.
  • I do like how I feel AFTER I am done running.

  • Before every "run" day I am filled with dread.
  • After every run I think to myself- I should do a full marathon.
  • In this month's Runners magazine there is a quote that says "real men don't run 5ks they run half marathons!"  and I think- really!?- I'm pretty sure they meant to say marathon and somehow the word "half" got in there.
  • Sometimes on my run I plan my wedding... and I don't even have a ring. And let me tell you, it will be a fabulous occasion. 
  • Once during a 4 mile run I tried visualizing the half marathon but really just planned what I was going to wear and how I will wear my hair (hey- whatever makes the miles go by right?)
  • I think part of the reason I keep running- is that I like the discipline it requires. 
  • I realized running is like a diet- you are only hurting yourself if you cheat (especially if you are training for a race).
  • Speaking of diet- I am STARVING every single day.
  • I'm also very scared to eat anything with fiber on my long run days- if you know what I mean.
  • Even though I can probably run 4 miles without stopping- I always do.
  • Even though I am running about 15 miles a week it never seems easier.
  • Sometimes 2 miles seems every bit as hard as 4 or 6 miles.
I'm going to try not to make every blog post about running- but when I started this blog I did it because I wanted to write about the highs and lows of trying to be fit. As I've mentioned before, I've always wanted to be a runner. It always seems like when I read about someone's running success story it always starts the same:

I started walking then one day tried to run. I added a half mile every day and the next thing you know I decided to run clear across the United States!

It made me crazy because I didn't think it could be that easy - and it's not- not THAT easy anyway. As I mentioned above, running is hard work (for me anyway) but I am amazed at how far I have come in such a short time. I can remember when I didn't even know how to breathe correctly while running. I remember when just running a mile on the treadmill was exhausting- and I always felt that I was in reasonably good shape. Running is definitely a whole other animal. But I'm pushing through. I know that when I complete those 13 miles it will be worth all the hard work. I just hope all of you can live through my bellyaching.

Today's Eats:
  • bfast- Ezekiel English muffin, Horizon cheese slice, egg, coffee
  • snack- banana, OG greek yogurt, kashi cereal (my new favorite snack)
  • lunch- Panera bread veg. black bean soup with 1/2 ceasar salad (oh-so-good)
  • snack- mini bagel
  • snack #3- 1/2 Odwalla bar
  • Dinner- salad- 1 cuke, strawberries, romaine lettuce, olive oil, vinegar and feta cheese
  • Workout- 3.75 miles
  • Veggies/fruit- 5



Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Runnin' and walkin'

Since I decided going out with my friend on Saturday
and drinking lots of bubbly

and shots were more important


I was out of commission on Sunday to do my scheduled 6 mile run.

Today I made up for it.
This is the first time I've ran this far since my 10K race.

Thanks to my Runners magazine I got the idea
to incorporate walking into a schedule

So tonight I ran 10 minutes and walked 1
What a freakin' difference that made!

I timed it all on my new 
fancy schmancy 
$9 Target watch.
(blurry Bunkie in the background)

Today's Eats:
  • bfast- Ezekiel English muffin (tried this for the first time- LOADED!), egg white, Horizon's organic cheese, coffee
  • snack- greek yogurt, banana, granola
  • Lunch- ww spaghetti, tomato, zucchini and white beans
  • snack- Odwalla bar
  • Dinner- mini bagel and banana, spinach, tomato, feta cheese, and strawberries
  • Fruits/Veggies: 5
  • Workout- ran 6 big ones

Saturday, July 17, 2010

When are you a "runner"?

Does owning this make me a runner?

I feel like it does.


I finished The Time Travelers Wife yesterday.
I have to say that it is now one of my all time favorite books. I just thought it was so clever and everything tied together in the end.  I can't wait to see the movie now.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Check yourself before you wreck yourself

Abbie and I adopted Archie about 4 months ago.


We got him from a foster home near Miami.
We ended up having to pay more money than we anticipated, with crates, baby gates (that he chewed through), adoption fees, flea medications and such.
Because of these upfront fees- we failed to take him to the vet when we first got him.
No excuse I know- but that was our rationale at the time.

Fast forward to this week
We finally took him to the vet and found he had heartworms.

I was devastated.
Although curable, heartworms are very very very bad for dogs.
Treatment includes a medicine with arsenic as its main ingredient.

(Bunkie tested negative we are pretty sure that Archie was not given heart worm meds when he was living in mosquito-infested-Miami)
(Bunkie at the vet- she loves it there)

We picked up Archie from his first round of treatment last night. He was/is so lethargic it breaks my heart. I actually had to pick him up and carry him into the house today on our walk.

(this was Archie all night)

All of this made me realize how important it is to not only take better care of our fur babies- but of ourselves as well.  I had braces not too long ago and I swore that when I got them off I would take care of my teeth religiously. I MAYBE floss once a week (sorry is that gross?) Mitch feels my pain.

Jokes.com
Mitch Hedberg - Flossing
comedians.comedycentral.com
Futurama New EpisodesIt's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaRussell Simmons Stand-Up Comedy


It's as hard to quit smoking as it is to start flossing.

And I haven’t been to the dermatologist for my annual skin exam (skin cancer check) in 2 years.  I do not even have a regular doctor!

So, on my lunch break today, I set up appointments to have my teeth cleaned and body checked.
It’s so easy to think that something won’t happen to you- but I’m sure everyone that has had some sort of illness had it come as a surprise. Also, my food consumption has been out of control. I think I had about 7 veggies this whole week. Time, once again, to get back on track and get serious about my health.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

You want my digits?

20- the number of minutes I have until the workday is complete
4- the number of miles I ran yesterday
2- the number of miles I will run today
24- the number of sweet cars I (or friends) have found
10,798- the number of days I've been on this planet (roughly)
224- the number of friends I have on Facebook
72- the number of friends I would actually call "a friend" on Facebook
17- the number of Twitter followers I have (follow me!)
926- the number of calories I have left to eat today (thank you DailyPlate)
109- the number of blog posts I have
66- the number of books I have read on Shelfari
306- the number of blog posts unread in my Google Reader


Me after my great 4 mile run last night


The 905 calories I have consumed today:
  • bfast- English muffin, egg white, OG applesauce, 2 coffees
  • Snack- OG yogurt, Kashi cereal with 1 banana
  • Lunch- BIG bowl of Caesar salad with croutons and rotisserie chicken



Monday, July 12, 2010

let me see if you can run it

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."
- George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

Isn't this a great quote? 
I found it this weekend when I had a breakdown

Training for the 1/2 marathon hasn't been going as planned.
I couldn't run past 2.5 miles last week
so this weekend I jumped online and tried to learn ways to improve my form, found what I need to be eating before and after my runs, and most importantly I found ways to get over this huge mental hurdle I was having.

It sounds silly but the best advice I found was someone who said that whenever they wanted to quit- they would just say to themselves 
"I can just walk if I want to"


Saturday I changed my running route to this beautiful neighborhood that had a ton of trees
tons of tress = tons of shade = a less exhausted Ashley

My first 2 miles were perfect. 
Mile 3 I was starting to get tired but pushed through
Mile 4 I walked a little bit and when I was tired of walking I ran again.
In the end I completed 4.7 miles
it felt great

Also learning that I have practically been doing everything wrong 
as far as foods to eat and running techniques
I am starting to feel more optimistic about this race
finally

Positive thoughts from now on

Today's Eats:
  • bfast- 1/2 english muffin, egg white, OG applesauce, 2 coffees
  • Snack- Odwalla peanut bar
  • Lunch- First Watch Power Wrap (oh so good)
  • Dinner- 2 slices of pizza and 2 beers (Abbie is back in town- we celebrated)




Happy Birthday Dustin!

(sweet shorts bro)


Thursday, July 8, 2010

Ain't nothing going to break my stride


Glee Rerun:
This was on tonight
Love this quote:

“We all have pressures, but you know how I deal with it? The natural way, with a rigorous diet and exercice rutine. I’m up at 6:00 AM every day, I have my protein shake with banana and flaxseed oil, and by 6:10 I’m on the eliptical. You know how I motivate myself? Not with anything artificial, I set a goal and I won’t rest until I reach it.”


source

***
These past couple of days I feel like all I wanted to do was eat, eat, and eat some more.
I don't know if it was stress at work,
or the fact that Abbie is in town and all I want to do is celebrate
and celebration = food

Today I finally wised up and doubled my breakfast eats
what a difference that made
I was able to just eat a salad for dinner 
and I feel great

****

Has anyone seen the new iPhone commercial where you can Skype?
How many relationships is this going to ruin?

boyfriend tells girlfriend he's playing poker with the guys.
Girlfriend demands to see via Skype.
Busted.
lol.


Tuesday, July 6, 2010

We Ordered Two Big Macs and Two Large Fries

Back to the grind.

After not drinking for the entire month- having a (couple) glasses of wine these past two days has nearly killed me. I've pretty much crawled through this day at work and will have to crawl through my 3 mile run pretty soon.

wish me luck.

in addition to the wine, I decided to celebrate being an American by eating like one

thats right
Fast Food: Burger King
(McDonald's was too far)

I had 2 cheese burgers, medium fries and a soda
it. was. so. darn. good.
and made me feel
so. darn. horrible.

But that's ok. I got my fix and will not need it again until next year. 

Abbie came into town to celebrate with the 4th with me after partaking in our calorie extravaganza he has agreed to run with me this week. He's buying shoes as we speak (his were stolen on our vacation).

Today's Eats
  • bfast- english muffin, cheese, egg white, 2 coffees
  • Lunch- Footlong Subway wheat, turkey, let., tom, pickles, cukes, vinegar, BBQ Baked Lays (I was starving all day)
  • Snack- Mary's Crackers with Hummus, 10 M&Ms
  • Dinner-
  • Workout- 3 mile run
  • Fruit/Veggies- 1


Saturday, July 3, 2010

Bend and SNAP

Friday my prize from 
came in!

I was so excited.

This thing has so many lunch containers and they have SNAP lids!

That means they don't leak!

I was so pumped- you would have thought it was my birthday.
(ahhh... the little things in life)

So yesterday I was a little too excited about my 3 day weekend that I decided to skip both meditation and the gym.

Today though I made up for it by working my ash off at the gym.

I blew through 4 miles and then did 30 minutes of hard core weights. When I left the gym, my shirt looked like a different color (gross I know) but there is something about working up a sweat that makes you feel good.

Next week I'll start my training with the local running group. 
Special thanks to Laury for being my cheerleader.

Well, its 10:00pm on Saturday. I would love to fool you into thinking that I decided to write a blog before going out for a wild night on the town... but the truth is I am going to bed. I have a 6 mile run tomorrow and if I don't get up before the sun, I "run" (no pun intended) the risk of having a heat stroke.

Happy 4th of July everyone!