5k Gobbler Run

Happy Turkey Day!

With lots of eats already down the hatch this morning and many more to come, I decided a run was definitely in order today. J. Alabama and I decided to do our own "5k Gobbler Run" this morning to get the blood flowing and to justify the latter part of our day.


Okay so we both look a little grumpy but that could do in part to our wondrous breakfast feast earlier this morning! We had a Thanksgiving Breakfast with his grandparents to start the day off right. Nothing liking eating a nice big breakie before eating another big meal.



But we did actually manage to bust out 3.5 miles in 31 minutes for our 5k Gobbler Run! This was a great time for me because I have been having foot issues and well I was FULL of breakfast. I am still not sure that I will reach my personal goal of 50 miles for the PILE ON THE MILES by tomorrow, but I am just happy as to how close I will come.

I just want to say that today I am grateful. I am grateful for so many things I don't even know where to start.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!!

*****

Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge Points Earned this far:
Monday: 5.5
Tuesday: 0
Wednesday: 4
Today so far: 3.5

Keep up the good work fellow Bootie Busters! I am here cheering you on!!

Pumping Iron

In light of the HBBC & my new love of adventurously trying new exotic fruits & veggies, I chose the persimmon as my next victim.

Now this little fruit is all cute & cuddly...it looks so sweet just a like a little pumpkin.

But don't let it's sweet pumpkin looking exterior fool you.


This thing was not fun.


Not fun to peel off the skin around the fruit. (A must when eating this fruit).


Not fun trying to figure out what to do next after peeling.


Not fun when my taste buds actually went on their adventure.




I am sorry to report I am not a fan. It had a very vague melon taste but with lacking flavor and oomph. I wanted it to be sweet & succulent like the pomegranate. I wanted it to be juicy like the red pear. I wanted it to be something amazing. To my disappointment It was nothing but a nice addition to my compost bin. (I could only struggle through about half of it).


Here is something I am becoming a fan of.


I mentioned a few days ago that I really want to add strength training into my workout schedule. Well either the stars were aligned or the boyfriend has been reading my blog because on Sunday J. Alabama asked if I wanted to accompany him at the gym.

Now I have been the "spotter" on one other occasion, many many months ago. And don't think by being the spotter you get out of doing the work, J. Alabama doesn't mess around when he goes to the gym.

So Sunday & Monday I went to the gym to pump iron. This girl has not touched anything over five pounds since August and was a little hesitant that I was not going to be able to move this week due to our excruciating workouts.

The great thing about going with him is he encouraged me during every routine. He pushed me a little bit farther than I would have pushed myself. Okay, a lot harder - but that's what I really want. I wanted him to be my Bob & Jillian!

He had me dead lifting somewhere between 65-75 pounds. I was lifting a 30lb bar over my head. I was doing everything at a higher level but it was AWESOME!

I am glad to be able to share this activity with him and glad he is patient enough to deal with my whining over using 15 lb weights when I am used to using 8's. But the push is what's going to move me along faster. It's going to make me stronger.

I am still pumped to do the 30 Day Shred next month - though I might need to invest in something bigger than 5 lbs if I keep pumping the iron at this level.



Happy Thanksgiving Eve everyone!

26.2 or Bust...

The magnet bandit was out on the loose this weekend. I came home to find this attached to my front door.

I was super excited when I saw this because it completely represents my goals. I had a suspicion on who I thought it was -none other than Paige! She is the one who got me into running several months ago. I decided to hang it on my fridge as a reminder of where I am going (destination 26.2 or bust).

Speaking of running... The Will Run For Wine running group had a meet-up on friday night. I mentioned last week that I had hoped both brothers could do it. Well I got one of out two, not bad! We were also joined by Brittany's husband Brent. It was invasion of the guys at WRFW running group. It was nice though to show them what us ladies have been up to.
(Linz, Bethany, Brittany, Brent, A-Bomb, Michelle)

After a nice 3.5 mile run through downtown Boise, we thought we deserved a beer. This was actually our first official WILL RUN FOR WINE BEER after run drink as a group. Due to the $3.00 pitchers we couldn't resist going for some beer.


Shortly after the WRFW group arrived, J-Bomb arrived and Brother Sister Brother Night was well on it's way! The night was a success. The siblings got to hang out and enjoy another Bronco Football massacre!


Goals... Goals.. Goals... I talk a lot about my goals which I think is important because then it becomes visual. When you write them down or spread the news you feel more likely to accomplish them because you are somewhat being held accountable. So I have decided to dub December "Shred it" month. I am going to start The 30-Day Shred on Sunday November 29th. I will take before & after measurements & photos as another way to document my journey and to keep myself going strong.

I am excited to jump into this challenge along with the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge as a way to keep active through this holiday season. It seems that these times are the hardest for me due to an increase in holiday feasting. I feel that if I am keeping up a regular exercise routine, a few extra treats are not going to ruin the progress I have made.

So "Happy Shredding" & "Happy Bootie Bustering"!!

Pinkies Up

This lovely red pear was the fruit of the day!

I have been trying to buy new fruits & veggies when I go grocery shopping as a way to incorporate them into my diet. I can remember back to a few months ago when I would go days without eating fruits and/or veggies and not even think twice about it.

But what I have come to discover is the amazing powers they hold. Oh yes, super fruit & veggies powers! I feel naturally energized, my mood is happier, not to mention the many health benefits.

I have to say it all started with the Green Monster. A great morning breakfast infused with spinach & banana goodness. Sounds disgusting but it has changed my life. Since drinking those & incorporating the fruits & vegs into my daily routine I get the urge to run all the time!

The Will Run For Wine group had it's first meet-up since last weds. Far too long I say! We picked a new route last night and decided to give it a try. We were lucky that Nicole has her head lamp because we followed the green belt deep into the darkness. It had an a eerie feeling & was hard to navigate with just one head lamp. I do not recommend this type of adventure. Good thing there were 6 of us and I know some sweet kickboxing moves - noone was going to mess with the Wine Runners. We managed to bust out 4 miles along our adventure. We will save this route for a weekend or summer time, since it is beautiful during the day, but night time it's far too secluded and dark.

After the run J. Alabama & I decided on having Sushi night. It has been way too long since our last sushi session and let me tell you it hit the spot.

In the nature of trying new things we ordered Sake. (Well there was that one time I engaged in the Saki-Bomb-a-thon, but I was also doing an extensive wine tasting & don't quite remember if I liked it or not).


I think I heart the little cups. Oh and I couldn't fight the feeling of not doing the pinkie up. I know, I know... I had to!


My sushi was good.


But J. Alabama's was WAY better! Look at all the goodies on top.


Good thing he likes to share with me. He is so nice!! :)

My next post will be starring a new special character - one that you will see popping up over here a lot more often. Stay tuned! And I am excited for those of you who are signed up for the HBBC!

A Marathoner's Mind

This is what I saw when I walked out my front door this morning.


To think I am usually still in bed at that hour and missing so much beauty outside. That makes me want to get up earlier just to take in the views. I had to run a conference for work this morning so my day started WAY earlier than usual. But the sunrise put an instant smile on my face - great way to start the day!


Funny thing about today actually... So you may have read the Margarita Mishap from a few days ago. Well after the conference adjourned I was asked to help host the dinner for the conference attendees. I was trying to fight it, but the Mexican Mesa of deliciousness was the dinner destination of choice. The inner struggle over margaritas n'more was instantly in the back of my mind.

The thing I realized today was that I am over the guilt. Over the worrying about every-little-thing. Over the stress I have caused in my own brain by freaking out over dumb things like drinking one margarita. It's not worth it. I have heard this on several occasions, but was reminded this recently, that sometimes just being stressed out over feeling guilty can actually cause weight gain. It freaks your body out and then it rebels. Ha ha.. I am not about to let my body engage in some war against my brain.

So I held strong and didn't order a margarita. It was just that easy. I didn't stress out about it, or cry about it, or make up some lame excuse why I couldn't be at the restaurant. I did decide that this was not something that I really even wanted. I can be strong and I will achieve my goals. And let me tell you, if I wanted a margarita I would have had one (just one). But that's just it, the urge was gone. I think I had just physched myself out the other day.

I realized though that it is all on how you think about it. I was purusing through Kara's blog the other day and she is starting to live in the after. She will explain there is her before, during & after parts to her journey and what a better way to be in the after then by just doing it. How this relates to me is as the marathon runner in training I need to start treating myself as if I already am a marathoner. I don't actually start training until next summer, but the months leading up are going to determine how well I do and I how feel in the future. I need to put myself into the mindset of what would a marthoner do? So I have to start now by treating my body well and giving it good nurishment and encouragment. It's part physical & part mental. Whew! I am ready for this challenge.

And this one, ...... The Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge
Since I am a girl who likes challenges I couldn't help but sign up for the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge. You are awarded a point/s for every physical activity you particpate in from November 23 - Jan 8th. Just the perfect thing to get me through the crazy holidays. Let me know if you sign up too so we can cheer eachother on.

Also- Thank you all for your awesome tips on the treadmill. Me and "the mill" are going to be bff's this winter so I will let you know how the tips work out for me.