Welcome to the good life.

Back In The Saddle.

...well, I should say back in the shoes. I can hardly believe my last run was probably back in June. Yowzer. And my last 5k seems like a lifetime ago. I really, really dropped the ball on my running plan. In my defense, I hate the heat...running in the heat, standing in the heat, shopping in the heat, everything. Don't like it whatsoever. That's my only excuse. For now.

Last night, I paid the price for taking so much time off. Sore knees. Sore feet. Sore everything.

Back to using Nike+. I've missed this app. Along with its motivational reminders. And it reminds me of how much running I've done this year (more running posts here). The mileage is off due to living without my iPhone for several months. Tough times. Regardless, I'm happy to be back on the road again!

Have a very good Tuesday, friends!

A Zombie Infested 5k

Yes, you read that right. We officially signed up for the "Run For Your Life" zombie 5k. I saw this months ago and just knew. I just knew.

 

I'll be running for my life my Jon, my brother, and two cousins. Love that this turned into a family 5k! My cousin (Christina) and I have a weird fascination with zombies...we've even developed a zombie-world-takeover-disaster plan. Yes, we have a plan. And in October, we will be putting our skills to the test. Will we survive the zombie race? What will we do at the Apocalypse party? And what kind of beer will they serve at the end? All questions that will be on my mind until the race.

Happy Monday, friends! I hope your day is zombie-less!

I Wanna Go All The Way...

I had to channel Britney Spears for the 5k today...I still have this song stuck in my head!

Start of the race. Ready to run!

The start line!

CDM is so gosh darn beautiful. Between the houses and ocean views, I could barely keep my eyes on the road to run.

By far, the favorite part of the run was going over this bridge with pretty purple and pink flowers.

Finally almost to the finish line!

Completed 5k and in the food area.

The 5k went great. It took a while for me to warm up like a whole dang mile. Once I was warm, I had a great time running. The course was gorgeous and I loved the challenge of the rolling hills.

I'm happy I did it. I'm happy with my 5k time, especially considering that I just got back from vacation. I'm happy I did it at my own pace, my way. And I'm happy to measure my progress...one year ago you couldn't have paid me to run a 5k...and now here I am. Happy.

Jon was busy working the event but managed to give me a good luck kiss and cheer for me at the end! And thank you to my friends who sent well wishes today, the support is greatly appreciated!

Happy Saturday, friends!

Ready!

Well, not really. But I'll be doing my best at the CDM 5K. I hope to get a good run in and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Got my number and timing chip. Bonus, I get to keep my timing chip as a souvenir!

To prepare for the 5K I decided to buy an iPod shuffle. I normally have Jon as my running buddy...but I'll be alone today so I am in need of music!

 

I'll be running in my new Pure Barre tank top which is so soft and comfortable. I'll probably have to bring a jacket too.

I'm hoping to take some pictures on my run...will post them here once its over.

Hope you enjoy your Saturday, friends!

 

Memorial Day Recap!

Wow, was it just me or did you have a nice Memorial Day weekend?!? The weather was beautiful here on Monday and it was pretty darn nice to have a day off work.

We spent the morning by Back Bay, they have the prettiest road for jogging and cycling. Nothing beats staring out at the sparkling bay. Perfection. I was still sore and tired from the previous days of running (so out of shape!) but was still able to get in 4 miles or so.

Along the way, Jon noticed a trail that went up into one of the bluffs. We decided to take the trail...it was beautiful. So many natural plants and streams. Off that trail, Jon found a ridiculously steep trail to climb up. I made it up most of the way, he went to the top. Crazy boy!

We spent the afternoon at the pool. I've been sucked into the Fifty Shades series, currently reading the last book, Fifty Shades Freed. So freakin good. Also, sipping Skinnygirl white peach margarita. Yum!

Leanne made this incredible Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip and I had to have the recipe. I love blue cheese and buffalo sauce! Its cooked in a bread bowl and eaten with crackers. So easy and yet so delicious. You must try it!

After stuffing ourselves with dip, we had to have a little BBQ.

It was a great weekend that went by way too quickly. Did you do anything fun for Memorial Day?

Back At It.

Yes, I'm back at running. And its been painful. And challenging. And fun. After taking time off during our vacation (and the week after), I am back to training for the Corona Del Mar 5k next weekend. With so much time off, I'm not expecting amazing results. I'll just be happy to enjoy the scenery.

Have a nice Memorial Day, friends!

Because One Picture is Not Enough...

(Mosiac created by this cool site.)

Saying the Color Run was a "good time" would be putting it lightly. It was awesome. And so fun. My face hurt from smiling. We enjoyed the run with a few friends (Ann+Ryan) who took 100+ photos...the joy of doing something with a fellow scrapbooker!

The day started off overcast at the Great Park, which was filled with Color Runners. Lots of neon, tube socks, tutus, and headbands. Sweet. The run was good, it felt great to be out moving. But in all honesty, it wasn't a timed run or race. So we enjoyed stops to take pictures and soak up color! My favorite station was of course the pink, who doesn't love being sprayed in pretty pink powder?

Color Run

...is today. More to come later.

 

Running Part 2.0

A few weeks ago I wrote about my running adventures...and I got several nice responses from friends! Thanks for sharing motivation ideas with me!

Less than 6 days till the Color Run. So excited!

Here's an update-

Lots more shoe adventures. I'm still so thankful for my shoes...while I still have foot pain from being out of shape, I have no knee pain. Thank goodness. I've learned to enjoy cold rainy runs, feeling the rain drops, seeing storm clouds (and even a rainbow!!), and lots of snails. Got to step over those snails.

My new favorite headband from Lululemon. Perfect for not slipping and moving as I'm jogging. And the colors are lovely.

My long lost love...the Vinyasa scarf. I've been coveting this scarf for sooooooo long, it was a happy purchase! There are so many ways to wear it, I'm still studying this video to figure it out. Its so soft. And light. Perfect for a walk, post-run, and traveling.

Something key I've learned is to stretch. And stretch some more. And when I think I've stretched enough, stretch some more. Before and after. Sometimes during. Its made a world of difference.

I've also learned that my muscles take quite a while to warm up. Need to remember to push through any "pain/soreness" and keep going. Usually when I keep going, it goes away and I feel good.

And I'm still trying to take lots and lots of photos to document this journey. So many pretty things to capture.

Loving supportive conversations with friends and family, it really helps more than I could have imagined.

How else do you stay motivated? I need all the help I can get!

The Evolution of Running.

Well, here I am. This blog post has been on my mind for about a month. I've struggled with writing this for several reasons. First of all, running is not something I'm secure with. You might even say its an insecurity, its a sensitive issue so to share is not always easy. Also, I want to be sure to convey my experience, and my experience alone. I'm clearly not an expert in this area.

So, here we go! Hold on, this is going to be a long post with lots of photos!

1. The Background Information

• As I said above, I am not an expert at running, exercising, or moving in general. I am an expert in relaxing, laying on the couch, and watching TV. 
• I lack serious motivation. And commitment.
• I've always pictured running as relaxing and peaceful. It looks freeing to be able to run and breathe and be outside. Yes.
• As much as I'd like to say otherwise, it is beneficial to my health to exercise (and lose weight at this point!). I plan on having a baby in the near future and want to be healthy for my children.

(I need to be reminded of this daily. True.)

2. What Changed

• It's hard to pin point.
• I will most definitely give praise to God for pulling me off my comfy couch. It would take an act of God to get me outside moving. Its really an indisputable fact.
• Prayer.
• Not focusing on what other people are doing. Focusing on me and what I'm doing.
• Being satisfied with small accomplishments.  

3. Some Setbacks

• Getting discouraged. This happens in many forms. It can be a night where my mile time seems much higher than the night before. Or when I choose to lay on my couch instead of getting out. When I focus on other people.
• Old shoes. I started running in January with my Zoots (you can see my collage below!). Love the color and the triathlon feel to the shoe. But I was experiencing knee and foot pain.
• Speaking of pain...I have flat feet. Pancake flat. Its caused some discomfort and even led to....
• Knee pain. Not only do I weigh too much, am out of shape, but I have flat feet which caused serious knee pain. Ugh. Talk about setback, it had me out of running for about three weeks!

4. What Has Worked

• Now to the fun part! I started taking vitamins. My mother-in-law has been bugging me to take vitamins for a decade. As a mature adult, I vowed to never take vitamins because of it. Until I started running. Boy, was I wrong all these years. I started taking a multi-vitamin, calcium, and glucosamine daily. It makes a difference, people!
• I bought new shoes (pictures below). Best money spent in a long time. Along with custom insoles for my flat feet. I had my feet analyzed and reviewed by the "Shoe Dog" to see why I was having knee pain. Turns out my flat feet are rolling in putting extreme pressure on my knees.
• I started documenting my journey (see pictures below!)
• Running outside. Breathing fresh air. Hearing frogs croak. Running on our trails and seeing birds and the sunset. You can not beat the feeling. Running inside=awful.
• My Nike+ iPhone app. Or Jon's Strava iPhone app. We like to compare stats.
• Reading Elise's running adventures. So inspirational.
• Lululemon headband and Pure Barre socks. Perfection.
• My running buddy, Jon! He constantly pushes me to go further and taking deeper breaths. And it is a boost of confidence when he gets tired too.
• "Shred" By Jillian Michaels recommended by my dear friend, Megs. Megs journey is inspiring too. I try doing "Shred" when I can't get out to run.
• Stretching before and after. Really stretching.

(new shoes)

(many shoe adventures!)

 (trail run)

(documenting)

(outside at sunset. indescribable.)

(iPhone app)

(essential headband)

(my running buddy)

5. Goals

• Goals work too. And I need them dangling in front of me. I depend on my favorite Pinterest motivational sayings. 
• Pushing myself slowly each day. Mountains aren't moved overnight.
• Signed up for the Color Run 5k. So freakin excited.
• Will be signing up for the Cinco De Mayo 10k (WOW!!), Newport Beach 5k, and my favorite event- Run For Your Lives Zombie 5k. This will satisfy my 2012 goal list.
• After I get to a specific total mileage (thank you Nike + iPhone app), Jon will be purchasing me something special from Lululemon. Debating on a jacket or pants. Tough decision.
• My upcoming trip to the Bahamas.

(Color Run confirmation!)

(just put this up on our refrigerator. great reminder)

(yes. and yes.)

(my favorite. me and running don't always get along either.)

Well, that is all for now. I hope to share more about my moving/running/exercising experiences soon. Please feel welcome to share any tips, tricks, or inspiration!

Enjoy your day, friends!