Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Didn't get to 100

The thought of running 7 miles today was too daunting.  So I ran 2.5 and called it good.  Next month I hope to get to 100 miles.  I don't even have a race to train for, but I've fallen back in love with running (especially my Sunday morning long runs) and I want to continue this trend.  Plus, I noticed my calf muscles in the mirror at the gym today.


The boyfriend left for work again this morning, but his days of working 72 hour shifts every single week are over, so I only have to go two days without seeing him.

Last night with Moe.

I did something after the gym that I don't usually do.  I baked.  I don't know what came over me.  I must have blacked out because when I came to this cinnamon coffee cake was sitting on the oven waiting to be taken to work tomorrow.  I have no idea how it will taste because it has gluten all over the place in it, so I had my brother and mom taste it.  They liked it.  I'm always embarrassed bringing my baking in, since I rarely do it, I feel as though I'm bad at it.

It just appeared.

My contribution to dinner tonight was the salad.  I enjoy making the salad because I have a weird thing about the way the vegetables are chopped.  I like a lot of crunch in my salad, so I like as many pieces of veggies as possible.

So much produce.

Dinner, the finished product.  Sausage (with cheese), salad, and sweet potato fries.

Oh, and the love of my life returned home to me after a long 2 weeks with his daddy.

Please don't mind my post-shower, unbrushed hair.


I fully planned on spending the rest of the evening folding laundry, but then I laid down and decided that staying put was a much better idea.  Laundry can wait until tomorrow.








Monday, April 29, 2013

That Wind!

I woke up this morning to my last week of work in my classroom.  I realized today that I feel as though I am getting taken away from my family.  My heart and soul has been totally invested in this classroom for the last 5 years and I am going to feel as though I lost a limb on Friday when I have to say goodbye.  I just wish I could finish out the year as I had prepared myself to do.  The fact that I don't even get to see the graduation that I am basically in charge of is really, really sad.  I do feel lucky, however, that my principal said I could finish out the week in the classroom so that I don't have to leave in the middle of the week.  Of course, there will probably be a few days here and there that they will need me to sub, but it will just feel so different.  Here's the biggest thing people should know about me; I don't do well with change.  In fact, I don't do it at all.

Other than that, the weather has taken a turn.  It's still sunny, but there is a biting wind that stings when it hits you.  Especially coming off the ocean, which means the wind is about 20 times worse at work.  I went from wearing pretty much nothing to tan yesterday to this lovely outfit today:



I am wearing two long sleeved thermals, a hoodie, and the down jacket that I keep at work for emergencies (when the outfit I wore isn't warm enough).  I was told that I looked like I was going on an expedition in the Arctic.  Then I was asked if I go skiing often...  Does it look like I enjoy the cold?  I could live where it's 85 every single day and be happy.

Of course, it was back to the gym this afternoon.  Shoulders and a recovery run.  I only have 7 more miles to complete to get to 100 miles for the month.  Knowing my stubborn self, I won't let myself leave the gym tomorrow until I get 7 miles in.  Even though I should be running far less this week to prepare for the race.

I try to be sneaky about taking selfies in the gym...

Then it was home where I had a large snack, watched an episode of a new show I started on Saturday, and helped make dinner.  Which was absolutely delicious.

Stuffed chicken breast, broccoli, cauliflower, and kale with carrots.

Hopefully I don't have to dress for winter again tomorrow.  I do think the wind is supposed to keep up for a couple of days.  Let's just hope it's gone by Sunday.  I don't enjoy running in the wind and I am certain I would despise running 13.1 miles in it.




Sunday, April 28, 2013

Busy Sunday

Yesterday, after I finished blogging, I got up to get ready for dinner before babysitting.  I realized that the boyfriend was not playing just one videogame, but two.  At once.  He's such a nerd.  It was a big, productive Saturday for him.  Of course dinner was Pho, because I can't survive a week without it.

Proof that he had TWO videogames open.

Driving to Pho.

BBQ beef bowl.  Pho without the broth.


Babysitting was so fun.  We watched A Bug's Life and then I read the child about 6 books before before they fell asleep and I read on the couch until the parents came home.  I love hanging out with kids, they're so much fun.

A Bug's Life and my awesome socks.

I got home around 10:30 and immediately fell asleep.  I was so tired from my big night out the night before.  I woke up at 8 this morning and immediately hopped out of bed and into my running clothes because I had to get my long run in before we went to boyfriend's mom's house for brunch.  I was actually smart this morning and decided to begin at my dad's house and run around my old neighborhood, to the park, and then to the gym.  It's mostly down hill from my dad's house.  It was a really good run.  My dad tried to convince me for about 15 minutes before I headed out to run to the gym and then back.  Back is literally uphill the entire way.  I opted out of that option.  I felt really great and even ran down the street I lived on with my mom for most of my childhood years.  Mile 8 was the most mentally challenging, but mostly it was just me and the redwoods, which is how it is going to be next Sunday.  It was also beautiful outside, not too cold like it usually is in the morning.  I did 11 miles, the farthest I've ever run.  I was going to wait at the gym until my dad came to pick me up, but I ended up bumping into a friend from the theater who offered to give me a ride home.  It was a nice chat about theater related things.

My old stomping grounds.  I rode my bike for hours down this street.

Just me and the redwoods.

I got home around 11 and the boyfriend was STILL SLEEPING!  I was out running 11 miles and he was snoozing away.  We usually head to his mom's house around 11, but we didn't end up getting there until 12.  Our timing was perfect.  We caught up over coffee and waited for brunch to be ready.  I was so starving by the time it was ready I scarfed down about 3 pieces...

So delicious.

His mom, grandma, and boyfriend hanging out in the sun on the porch.

After I stuffed myself, I did what any normal person does after an 11 mile run and mowed the 1/4 acre lawn for his mom.  I actually find lawn mowing somewhat relaxing, but my goodness does it burn some calories.  I was so tired by the end of it.  Most of the lawn was about 3 feet high and the lawn mower is about 5 years old and a manual push mower.  His mom is adorable and when I was finished, she forced me into the hammock in the sun with a cider and a good book to read.  Boyfriend went to his friend's house to jam and I soaked up some vitamin D.

Boyfriend helped by pretending to weed whack.

Yep.  I had the full get up with ear muffs and everything.

I told my EMT boyfriend that a blister on my hand had popped and it hurt.  This was the result.

Enjoying the sunshine.

I was starving again by the time we got to my dad's house.  Luckily he had made us filet mignon, polenta, green beans, and chopped salad.  I stuffed myself again, leaving just enough room for my whipped cream with a tiny bit of fruit.  

Such a good meal.

Tomorrow begins my last three days of work.  I had my first breakdown in the car this evening.  It started with me laughing hysterically at the boyfriend for doing something silly and then all of a sudden I just burst into tears.  I cried for a good 10 minutes and got it out of my system.  It's going to be a hard week, I think.  Must look at the positive things, like the fact that I got to experience this classroom in the first place.

I leave you with the most random picture my old roommate sent me last night.  It's from a yearbook ad in high school.  It brought back some great memories.

That's me in the middle, my best friend, and a girl named Norma.









Saturday, April 27, 2013

A Night Out

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm the biggest homebody in the world.  I seriously prefer sitting at home watching silly TV shows or reading blogs, or doing anything that I can do in my pjs with my hair in a pony tail.  My usual outfits consist of workout clothes or sweats and a hoodie.  I wear jeans to work, but that's a short 6 hours compared to the rest of my day.  So, it's a really rare event when I actually get the energy up (especially on a Friday) to do my hair and makeup and go out like a normal person my age would do.

Tuesday, my friend and I had made plans to go to a party and dance the night away.  Well, we had read the Facebook invite wrong and realized that the party is actually NEXT weekend.  So this whole going out thing is going to happen again next Friday.

Before going home, I hit up the gym for a 2.5 mile run and then leg workouts.  I should be doing longer distance runs, but I don't like doing too much cardio before weights as it wears you down and your form suffers.  But after legs, the last thing I want to do is run again, and I guess any distance is better than none.

Kettlebell swings, side lunges, and squats OH MY!

FINALLY got to use the squat rack after 40 minutes of stalking it.

I came home and tried to take a nap, but all I could get was 20 minutes.  My body just does not let me nap for some reason.  Then I got up and forced myself to get ready.  We headed to my friend's house where she had dinner waiting for us.  She's amazing.

Her husband dubbed this meal the "anti sloppy joe."

Then we hung out on the couch while she made the shirt she was going to wear out as well as the hair ties she used.  I so wish I were crafty.  Her shirt came out absolutely amazing!  Then we headed to a new bar that just opened about a month ago.  They are a beer bar, and since I'm gluten free, I don't drink beer.  I got this delicious cherry cider that tasted like soda which is really dangerous.  I haven't drank any alcohol since my birthday 4 months ago, so this was pretty much enough for me.  Then we went to a few more bars and danced the night away.  I LOVE dancing, as I've mentioned before, so it was a great night.  Boyfriend and I got home around 2:30am where I promptly fell asleep until 10 this morning.

Candid shots are the best.

Our next album cover.

She's one of my favorites.

I wanted to use today as a rest day because tomorrow I have my long run to get in.  It's the last one before the half marathon.  I spent approximately an hour reading about the course this morning and I'm only getting more nervous.  Apparently the course is flat, with only one significant hill.  So, I guess that's good?  I'm still terrified of running 13.1 miles by myself with no music or anything to keep me occupied.  What did I get myself into?  There has been a lot of laying around today because my legs are sore and I am so tired from last night.  But, of course, I can't just sit around and do nothing all day.  So, I put on Insanity Pure Cardio because I knew it had the least amount of leg work (those videos are very heavy on the lower body) and did that.  I was definitely sweaty.

Caught me taking a break from push up jacks...

Squat jacks.

Now we are about to head out for an early dinner because I have to baby sit at 6:30.  I'm about to be unemployed in 3 days and I need all of the extra money I can get.  Hanging out with a 3 year old for the evening isn't the worst way to spend a Saturday night, either.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Sad.

Well, I found out this morning that the child with the one-on-one is no longer coming to our class.  It's about 99% a sure thing.  This made me feel really, really sad.  Of course, I couldn't show it on the outside.  I'm more of a keep-my-emotions-inside kind of a person.  I'm a psychology major.  I listen to people's problems.  I don't talk about my own.  Also, I think it's really inappropriate to bring your personal stuff to work and I love my job, so I kept my sadness at bay.  But it was there, underlying everything all day.

I thought going to the gym for some weight training therapy would help.  I pounded out 2.2 miles and then went to the platform to do some heavy deadlifts.  Deadlifts are my favorite weight training exercise because they work everything and I feel like a badass.  They usually cheer me up, especially when I can pick up 185 lbs off the ground.  That's me plus another small child!  Well, I got done with my routine and I only felt a little bit better.  I think Wednesday is going to be really hard.

Trying to deadlift my way out of the funk.

I got home and ate my usual snack of grapes and strawberries and an egg.  I cut back on the protein shakes because I felt like my kidneys weren't really appreciating all of the protein I was eating.  Moe was waiting for me like he always does.  I got him right after the ex and I broke up and I was the saddest I've ever been in my entire life.  I hated sharing Milo, so I decided to get a dog that I could have all to myself.  Moe was the perfect choice.  He is just such a huge lover.  Everyone who ever meets him says how much they love him and want to steal him.  Most people say, "I usually hate little dogs, but he's a good one!"  He has a way of knowing exactly when you're sad and making sure you're okay.  He's fantastic.

Trying to cheer me up.

My mood got better when boy and I started making dinner.  We talked and laughed as we usually do.  I made fajitas and salad and he made kale chips and chopped the watermelon.  I made my fajitas into a huge taco salad because I try really hard not to eat grains.  It happens sometimes, but I avoid them most days of the week.  I also don't eat gluten, and the only tortillas we have in the house are flour.

Cutting up some watermelon.

My massive taco salad.

After I ate, I definitely started feeling less sad.  We were all laughing and joking.  I remembered that this isn't the end of the world.  I've been in this classroom for 5 years and it feels like my home.  I knew that it would be ending this year as I embark on my journey to become an actual teacher.  I just don't do well with change.  I will cry.  I will be sad.  But then I will start school and I will have a new normal.  Until then, I will be happy that I have a job that makes me cry when I think about leaving it.  Not everyone is that lucky.

I leave you with a picture of Moe and my mom at dinner tonight.  He's the most spoiled dog in the world.


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Worst. Run. Ever.


It was yet another beautiful day up here in Northern California.  It's been so lovely to be able to expose my skin to some Vitamin D.


The outside thermometer in my car after work.

Wednesdays are circuit days, so I come home before going to the gym.  All day I told myself that since it was so nice out that I would just run to the gym instead of hopping on a treadmill before class like I normally do.  Well, the run turned out completely awful because of several mistakes I made.  The first being that I haven't taken a day off from running in a VERY long time.  Since two Saturdays ago when I took my sort of rest day.  The second mistake: I ate a good snack.  The third mistake of the day, but not really a mistake because it was the best decision of the day, was laying in the back yard for an hour trying to get some color in my skin right before I was going to run.  The boyfriend came outside with me and we laid there and chatted and played with Moe.  I definitely got some sun.  I am so blessed with Portugese skin that gets color even if I'm only in the sun for 2 minutes.

My two boys.

I was trying to get Moe panting, because then he looks like a real dog.

I came inside from laying out and immediately hopped into my workout clothes.  Since it was so hot, I put on what I have now dubbed my "Portable hydration station" and took off on what was supposed to be an easy 5 mile run to the gym.  

I knew it was going to be hard even before I started.


Well, from the minute I started I knew I was not going to run 5 miles.  It was HOT.  I don't know how people who live in real heat run.  I was dying.  I couldn't get my breathing right.  I was running too fast.  There was a lot of wind (warm wind that did not cool me down).  I hit literally every red light on the way, so I had to keep stopping and waiting.  I got fed up and told myself to just make it to 3.1 miles and then I could walk.  And that's exactly what I did.  I was pretty upset with myself for awhile, but then I realized that I had done a good thing and listened to my body when it was mad at me.  I don't do that very often.  Plus, I still had my hour long workout ahead of me.  This was just the warm up.  I ended up running more than 3.1, but I'm not sure how much more.  Probably about a mile.  I didn't track it.  I pushed myself up a couple of hills, just to get hill work in.  But I was SO hot and sweaty by the time I got to the gym.  It was the worst run I've had in a very long time.

I did get to take some pretty Redwood pictures though.

Redwoods quite literally in someone's backyard.


When I got to the gym, our circuit class was outside, just as I had expected.  I was still hot and still tired and I could feel myself not working very hard.  We had to run, do lunges, squats, deadlifts, ect and my heart just was not in it today.  I am hoping that I am feeling better about working out tomorrow.  I have definitely decided to take a couple of days off next week right before the race so that I come into the race feeling ready and not worn out.  Thirteen point one miles is a long way to go while feeling exhausted.  I also won't be laying out in the sun before hand.

Circuit outside.

Boyfriend picked me up from the gym.  Actually, that's not true.  I walked a mile to the grocery store where he was and then got in his car with him.  My face definitely feels like it got sun.  I love this feeling.  We went to my dad's house for a lovely dinner of grilled cheese (gluten free of course) sandwiches, salad, watermelon, and soup (perfect for a very hot day...).  It was nice.

Dad preparing the sandwiches.

Boyfriend made himself and my step-mom margaritas and put matching straws in the glasses...

My plate, of course.

I am hoping to wake up refreshed and revitalized.  Tomorrow is back day at the gym.  Maybe I won't warm up with my usual 2 mile run on the treadmill and make my way over to the bike section.  Who am I kidding?  I probably won't do that.  Biking is hard.  :-D




Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Another Hot Day

And by hot, I mean it was 70.  On the beach at work.  I think the world might be ending.  It's April and it's getting hotter than it does in the summer.  Our summers here on the coast are grey, grey, grey.  And never really go over 52.  We have to drive at least 45 miles east or south to get sunlight.  I am loving this weather.  I actually took OFF my jacket at work and was just wearing a t-shirt.  I think that is the first time in my history at that school.

When I got off work, of course I went to the gym to pump out my chest routine.  I got to the locker room and realized I had made a rookie mistake.  I forgot my sports bra!  I was upset for approximately 2 seconds before I decided just to wear my regular bra, which was interesting to run in, but didn't really make any difference while lifting.

Such a noob.

After the gym, I immediately made my way over to my adorable friend's house where I sat for over two hours on her really comfortable couch just chatting and laughing.  I love her so much.  She made me coffee and we had on the Annie DVD in the background.  She was the director and I was her stage manager for this play back in December, so we got really close during that (even closer than we did in Evita).  She an amazing human being and we are always cracking each other up.  We made plans to hang out Friday night.  I've been acting like a 25-year-old every weekend lately instead of a 93-year-old.  I feels nice to be social and not cooped up in my room on a Friday like I usually am because I'm so tired from the week.


My view for 2+ hours, her making me coffe, and Annie.


This is us almost exactly a year ago during a cast party for Evita.  We found some fun costumes.


This is us in December during a pick up rehearsal for Annie.  We found some fun wigs.  I heard life is more fun as a blonde.

Then I came home, hopped in the shower, and had a delicious dinner of steak, salad, and roasted broccoli.  If you've noticed from the 900 pictures I enjoy posting of my food, you will notice that about 90% of what I eat is vegetables.  I am extremely obsessed with vegetables.  I seriously cannot think of one I don't like.  There are a few fruits that I can't stand (pineapple and cantaloupe make me gag) but when I go down a list of vegetables, I can't name one I don't want to eat.  I feel very lucky about this.  I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that I grew up with vegetables that were cooked well and vegetables have always been a part of my life.  Of course, I did go through a phase where I mostly ate poptarts, cup-o-noodle, and mac and cheese, but I've always eaten my veggies.

Such a beautiful plate.

I also had dessert, of course.

Now I'm, as usual, in bed.  Boyfriend was supposed to get off work at 7 tonight, but it is now 7:51 and he is nowhere to be found.  He hasn't texted back which makes me think he's on a call that happened a little late.  Obviously EMTs can't just get off work at the hour that they are supposed to if they are in the middle of a call...