Love and Hate

What I'm loving right now:

Morning hair. 

I don't normally get to see this, during the school year I am gone to work before she wakes up.

Runner's World SmartCoach App

My Nike flip-flops. 

I wear these things everywhere. So comfy.

 Raisins. 

Good for my sweet cravings.

 

Growing my own veggies. I

Although, I'm a little impatient for the results.

What I'm hating right now:

Netflix: 

Thanks for the price increase. 

Now that I know they are doing it to get more people to move to digital only (streaming), I get it.

But sheesh, you had a good thing going!

source

Jillian Michaels. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Satan sent her. 

source

My jogging stroller. 

Arnold Swarchenegger must have invented these because you'd have to be that strong to run with one, seriously! The one in the picture is much nicer than the one I have. My little one only weighs 32 lbs. but the front wheel does not rotate so when you turn I have to push down on the handle and turn the stroller in the right direction. I'm selling that sucker ASAP!

What are you loving or hating right now?

Questions for you...

I have been keeping a list of questions related to running my half-marathon this November. I've searched online and read what the "pros" have to say, but I'm really interested in finding out what other runners like myself do when training for half and full marthons. If you want to answer any or all of these questions for me, I'd be so thankful for your wisdom. Just leave your answers in the comment section, please and number them for me. I am going to answer them with what I am currently doing. Here goes:

1. Do you train for races outside, inside on a treadmill, or both?

• Lately, due to weather, I have been training inside on the treadmill. I want to run outside more when it cools down some.

2. Do you buy new shoes for a big race and then break them in a few weeks prior or stick with what you've trained in?

• My only experience with this was last years half, and I wore the shoes I trained in. Had no problems, but I walked pretty much the whole thing.

3. Do you pay attention to, or track your heart rate during runs?

• I am very interested in doing this. I am buying a Garmin with a heart rate monitor. I want to learn how to monitor this and use it to my advantage during training. 

4. The only hills I have really run for this training are on my treadmill. A 10% incline was like death for me. How do you train for hills?

• At 10% on my treadmill, I can only run for like a minute. In my neighborhood, there are some pretty big hills, but most are short and quick. I typically have to slow down and even walk sometimes.  I am working on hills on the treadmill 1 day a week. 

5. Do you cross train? What kind of activities do you do?

• I walk, do elliptical and fitness videos for strength. I would like to bike and swim more. Just too hard with a little one. 

Last one, I promise!

6. What is your favorite piece of running gear/clothing/shoes?

• I love my Brooks Ariel's. I am sure I would love my Garmin if I had one!

Thanks for answering my silly questions. I appreciate it!

Five for Friday

1. Running related - I am dying to get a Garmin Forerunner 305. I have been researching and then searching for the cheapest price online for weeks now, just gotta commit to spending the money...

Hello, beautiful...I wish I could run 3.82 miles in 28:28!!!!

 

 

 

2. Insomnia - I am having a hard time sleeping at night...then of course, all I want to do is sleep during the day. Tylenol PM does nothing for me. Any suggestions? Ever try Melatonin?

3. I am going to cut back on artificial sweeteners after reading that they can lead to weight gain. I usually drink coffee with Splenda every morning, and my yogurt is artificially sweetened.  I'm sure there's other stuff I'm not thinking of, but I am going to really pay close attention now.

4. My child is terrified of the cow from Chick-fil-a. The person in a costume came walking around today because it was "Cow Appreciation Day". The little one hid until he was gone. She is a boisterous, outgoing kid, who I always thought was afraid of nothing. You learn something new everyday...

5. I have not been on a vacation in 8 years. My last vacation was to Pawley's Island, S.C. with my family in 2003. Other than traveling to visit family in middle Tennessee, and a weekend in St. Louis and another in Cincinnati, I have not left home. Every year there has been a reason why we don't go somewhere. Work schedules, having a kid, money. Whatever the reason, it stinks. Looking at other people's vacay photos on Facebook really stinks. Just sayin'.

Tonight's workout is Day 3 of Ripped in 30. I am so not looking forward to this. But I know I'll feel better, so here I go...

Woohoo Wednesday

I thought I'd share a few of the things that make me go "WooHoo!" because I love them so much. I might make this a weekly thing. These are things that just randomly stand out right now as my favorites:

Marzetti's Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Pomegranate Raspberry Michelob Ultra. There's a theme going on here...

 And then there's this guy...

what can I say, I hate running outside in the heat.


As I'm typing this post, my dog Heidi starts going crazy. So I get up to let her out and hear tornado warning sirens. Haven't had the t.v. on all day, had no idea and couldn't hear the sirens from my office. So here's a big "WOOHOO"! for my dog Heidi. Thanks for the warning, girl! (She's typically like this, 23 hours a day)

*just a note: the tornado warning was canceled not long after I posted. All is safe now!
uh, not exactly. Tornado warnings all night...but we are safe!

What is something that makes you go "woohoo!"?