I miss the fall line up...

Yesterday ended up being an impromptu rest day.  I didn't feel like waking up for the gym and I had dinner plans last night, so rest day it was.  Today I ran my tempo run.  6 miles in 55:54.  The workout was 2 easy, 2 at 8:34, 2 easy.  I pretty much followed the rules...

So, I know it's summer and we're supposed to be outside sweating to death enjoying ourselves, but during the week, after a long days work, I really just want to veg some nights in front of the TV...and right now it just isn't as enjoyable.  I have 3 shows recording right now...The Bachelorette (which I fast forward through half of), Covert Affairs and Burn Notice.  Well, with DVR, that's an evening of TV and I'm done.  Let's just say on my nights at home, Netflix has been getting lots of love...and they're about to be dumped.  So, I've decided to do a tribute to the shows I miss...

For whatever reason, I can't seem to add Grey's or Private Practice...I guess I hated how they both ended last season and with Patrick Dempsy leaving Grey's...well, we've all seen the demise of that show coming for a while...right?  Right.

And let's just observe a moment of silence for a few other gems:

I miss you...

 Only a few more months...right?  September/October...I can do it!

What shows are you excited to see again in the fall?

What shows do you watch repeats of wish were still on TV??

Running Wednesday: Shoes

Welcome to the first edition of Running Wednesday!  Every week, I am going to write about a different topic that deals with running.  If you have suggested topics or questions, let me know and I will do my best to find out information for you.  I'm no running expert.  I've learned some things along the way, but do quite a bit of reading as well as talk to more experienced runners so I can improve.

Today, I'm going to be talking about shoes. Shoes are the most important purchase you'll make when it comes to running.  I would suggest going to your local running store to be fitted for shoes for two reasons.  One, you will have someone with knowledge of the shoes to help you find what you need and two, they will take them back, even after you've run in them if you aren't satisfied.  It's a little harder to do that when ordering shoes online.

Shoe Care
Once you've found your shoes, you should care for them properly.  Here are some tips from Runner's World on shoe care:

• Don't store shoes in extreme temperatures such as an unheated garage or a porch in the winter or in direct sunlight in the summer
• Only wear your shoes for running!  Don't wear them to the gym, or to play other sports....just save them for running.  Your running shoes will probably be more expensive than just any pair of athletic shoes that would work for the gym.
• Be sure to dry your shoes if they get wet.  Take the insoles out so the shoe can fully dry.  Whatever you do, don't put them in the dryer.

Signs It's Time for a New Shoe

As a general rule, I've always been told that shoes last between 300-500 miles.  Some will wear more quickly, others may last longer, but there are signs that you should look for that indicate you need new shoes:

• If your shoes look unbalanced when you  place them on a level surface, it's time to replace them.  If your shoes aren't balanced, it can cause injuries.
• If you stick your finger into the midsole and see it feels brittle or compressed...it's time for new shoes.
• If you are experiencing new pain or discomfort when you run, it may be time for a new pair of shoes.  After a while, they can't give you the support your body needs when running.

Having the right shoes in good condition is key to a good running experience.  And let's face it, they're not cheap, so let's help them last as long as they can!

Do you have any other tips to share?

What is your favorite shoe brand?

The importance of being involved

McDonalds...we're fighting!

This morning I begrudgingly got up and went to the gym.  And yes, I know I'm doing this to myself...it's just the next few days of getting back into a routine are always hardest for me.  I hit the snooze twice this morning...oops!  When I got to the gym though, I got in a good workout of shoulders, triceps, legs and abs.  I was proud of myself for getting up and then being so productive.

When I got back to the car, I saw I had stashed a McDonald's mailer with deals on breakfast items. Score!  I was excited!  I went through the drive thru, ordered my normal sugar-free vanilla iced coffee with skim milk  (which was my free item!) and then a yogurt parfait.  (I do not like creamer in restaurant coffee...it is always too sweet, plus, why damage the work I just did at the gym by adding 200 calories for just a drink?)  I even hear the cashier boy yell to them, "it's skim milk!".

I get my iced coffee, with liquid dripping from the sides all over my hand and I had to ask for a napkin three times! strike one. Then, I get my food in a bag and drive away.  I put my straw in and take a big sip of coffee and realize it definitely had creamer and it tastes nasty. strike two... I'm mad, but I keep driving to work because I needed to get there on time.  Then I get to work and see a sticker on the bottom of my yogurt parfait:

WTF McDonalds?!

strike three!

Now I remember why I pretty much only eat fast food from Chick-fil-A!

Happy 7Eleven Day!!!

And it's a Happy Birthday day to my bro-in-law David!!!  Doesn't he have the most fun birthday?!
Go visit your local 7Eleven and get free 7.11oz Slurpee!  Yay!!

Today was my first week day MORNING workout in a l.o.n.g. time.  Seriously.  I prepared last night to the point that it would be more of a pain to not go to the gym...and I made it.  Alarm started singing at 4:20...I was up after a snooze sesh and out the door.  I got in some biceps, back, and started a speed work out.  My goal was 3-1mile repeats with 1 mile warm up, one mile cool down.  Not gonna lie...they suck.  But I was determined.  Then, a really good friend I haven't seen in a while came over to chat and I was done...I did get 2 of my 3 mile repeats in, plus the warm up and cool down.  I put in 4.25 miles.  I'll just make up the extra mileage later on this week during my tempo run.  But it felt good to be up and working before work.  Then, I don't have the option to be too tired after work...and there's nothing going on in the morning besides sleep so...might as well...right?

This weekend, among other things, I spent some time catching up on my Harry Potter thanks to ABC Family!  I realized I still haven't seen every movie.  I got a jump on the HP train a bit later than most.  My company built part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal, so when I started seeing the models and drawings for what we were going to build...I decided I needed to check them out since the detailing was pretty interesting.  I figured there had to be something to those stories.  Come to find out there was and I really like them.  I might try and read the books next.  I remember being in high school still when the first movie came out...my senior year.  I just thought, how crazy that it was going to take 10 years to see all the movies...and here we are...10 years later.

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Are you going to see the final HP movie??

Are you a morning or night work out fan?

Did you participate in any fun activities this weekend?

The One Where I Play Catch Up

Hello!  This week has been a bit of a blur...
Don't short weeks always seem like that?  You blink and they're gone.

Last weekend was a busy, busy weekend.  We ended up being pretty lazy on the actual 4th of July, which happens to be one of my favorite holiday.  We didn't even cook out.  I felt so un-American.  But, I know we needed the rest.  We did shoot off fireworks at our house for a party to celebrate our friends getting married on Sunday night and fortunately, our neighbors lit off some pretty fancy fireworks on Monday, so we had some festivities to enjoy.  John also built us this beautiful planter box last weekend.  We'll have another one soon for vegetables, but this one is for flowers and I love it!

A patio area AND a planter box in one week?!  Yay!

This week has just gone by quickly.  I tried to get in a rhythm but that proved to be useless.  Life is just hectic right now and trying to figure everything out plus getting through all of the regular weekly activities made my week a bit nuts!  I did get to watch 

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It was really cute.  I'd been wanting to see it.  Movie nights are happy!

Speaking of happy...guess who has puppy-fever now?! 

John!

He wants one of these

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Lily tries to break John's spirits for a new puppy, but I think this time, he's going to win.  I'm just along for the ride.  I love puppies!

I will try and be more consistent next week.  Plus, I'm starting a new segment:

Come back next week for the first one!

Oh, and I'm sure you've been worried since I haven't posted about them but...
my workouts have been a bit sketch this week.  I'll post them after I can redeem myself with my long run tomorrow.  Trust me.  It will look much better when I add 14 miles to the workout list haha.  I just wish Florida wasn't so darn hot and humid right now.  I guess I'll be happy about it when we hit another beach or boating weekend.  That will for sure be in 2 weeks!  Oh yea!

Happy Weekend Bloggy Friends!

Last Friday Night...

Yea, I'm rocking out to Katy Perry.  Last Friday Night is my happy song right...
College again? Yes please...

Check out the video for this, it's pretty funny...


Workout:
Last night I ran 10 miles in 1:35:33/9:33 mile pace.  I felt good after the first two miles.  I really was dying the first two; my legs were super tight at first but I got in my groove!

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I'm so, so ready for the weekend.

Tomorrow will be my first ever NASCAR experience.  It was on my bucket list to make it to a NASCAR race once in my life and tomorrow, we're hitting up the Pepsi 400!  I'm excited!  Be ready for some fun pictures next week if I can get them...I hear there are lots of interesting things to see haha.

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Monday=one of my favorite holidays!  The 4th of July should mean so much to every citizen of this country, outside of the fireworks, cookouts and beer.  We're so fortunate to have so many freedoms that other nations still do not have.  I know we're far from perfect, but I'm PROUD to be an American!

Thank a solider for fighting for our freedom!