Off The Grid

It's no secret that I've been trying to disconnect from the technological world a lot more lately. This is because I've decided I waste too much time on the Internet and don't spend enough time with the people who matter. Talking face to face with people is so important and it's easy for me to forget that little detail.

This weekend, it was so easy for me to do just that. On Thursday, my mom and I headed out to our favorite spot on the river for a full three days of camping.

When we first arrived, I was hit by a huge wave of exhaustion. I think I am so used to my go, go, go lifestyle, that sitting around doing literally nothing was a shock to my system.

It was hard to even get through a magazine. I was out early and slept for ten straight hours. That's a feat for me, who usually only sleeps about 7 hours a night. I was bright eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning.

Friday was spent laying on rafts in the rivers for hours and hours. We moved only to get up to eat lunch and snacks. I got sufficiently sun-soaked. I finally got stir crazy and forced my mom to hike for an hour. Yes. I hiked in flip flops because I forgot to pack any regular shoes.

Of course, we sat some more by the campfire.

Saturday, I was in charge of leading a group down the river. I've gone rafting approximately 800 times before in my life, but I've never paddled or lead a boat. I was nervous and decided to practice good river safety.

Also, you can't forget to wear your most stylish shoes rafting.

Of course, on the trip, I was the only one to fall out. I always have a slight moment of panic before I realize that I am actually stronger than the rapids and am able to stand up.  Luckily, my friend's husband pulled me back into the boat quickly and I went right on paddling. It was pretty smooth if you ask me. 

That's the guy who basically saved my life.  ;-) After dinner, a group of us went for another short hike. By short, I mean about a mile straight up a mountain. I carried the baby the entire way. An extra 22lbs definitely adds something to the whole hiking experience.

Don't let the picture fool you. This was at the top after I gave her back to her mom. This was the group of us at sunset.

Today, I was ready to come home, but really only for a run and a shower. My arms are completely dead from all of the rowing I did yesterday. I am pretty certain that's my new favorite form of exercise! I did not miss technology at all. In fact, I didn't even think about it. Being with good people, laughing and joking, tops scrolling through Facebook any day. I am also about 8 shades darker than I was when we left.

Now I am back in the real world, but I'm already ready to unplug again soon!

Have you ever been rafting?

My Mom

Today is my mom's 54th birthday. 

My mother is the most special woman in the entire world to me. She is my hero. My role model. My best friend.

My mom has been my rock. She is te constant in my ever-changing life. She cries with me when I cry. She laughs with me when I laugh. She cheers me on and gives me advice in everything I do.

She has let me grow into an individual while still giving me enough boundaries to shape me into a good, kindhearted person. 

She's incredibly hardworking. She is the most passionate teacher I know. She is constantly going above and beyond what is necessary to make sure her students get the best education possible. She has been extremely involved in the common core standards and has lead conferences on technology use in the classroom. 

It is because of her that I have a passion for education and children. It is because of her that I am who I am. Thank goodness she was born. I love you mom, to the next universe and back. Happy birthday!!!

Exercise Lately

I originally started this blog as a way of holding myself accountable when I began my journey of 365 days of fitness for at least 30 minutes a day. Since I made that goal, this blog has kind of gone from exercise focused to whatever-I-feel-like-talking-about-today focused. I'd like to bring the blog back to discussing my exercising because, let's face it this is an exercise blog. And I haven't skipped a day yet, so I am halfway through another 365 days!

Running- After my PR at the half marathon, my body was beat. The day after, I tried to do a shake-out run but failed miserably. After that, my weekly mileage decreased quite a bit. I wasn't training for anything, and life got in the way. Spending time with new friends became much more important to me than running high mileage weeks. My body loved the break (and by break I mean I still ran every day, just at a slow-to-me pace and about half the mileage I was doing before the race). Now, I am back to loving running again. With the vacation, I have more time and energy. Plus, my life has settled down a bit and I can focus on running. I did my first double digit Sunday since my half just yesterday. It felt great!

Lifting- I still lift 5 days a week. With running less, I was able to focus much more on weight training. I have begun adding more weight or trying a new lift every time. I was getting bored with my same ol' routine and decided switching it up was good for me. Apparently it's been working because when I put on my bridesmaid dress, it was actually a little too big which made for an awkward night of dancing.

Outdoors- It's no secret that I am slightly obsessed with being outside. For awhile, I was getting to the gym and then spending the majority of my days outdoors. It has been amazing. I cannot believe how healing the ocean is just by being around it. Nature truly is my temple, my therapy, my calm place. And lately, that's what I've been needing.

So yes, I have been exercising at least 30 minutes a day every day still. I am thinking of adding in a weekly recap of my workouts like a lot of bloggers do. We shall see how that pans out.

How have your workouts been lately?

What a Weekend

Wow! My first week of vacation is officially over! How does this seem to happen every vacation??? It really flies by when you have a bachelorette party, rehearsal for a wedding, and then an actual wedding to attend.

Thursday was the bachelorette party. It was very low key with just a few girls. We had a sleep over and played typical bachelorette party games.

There was lots of laughing and story-telling, and we were in bed by 12. Exactly what the bride wanted. Friday, I fed them all breakfast (yogurt bar) and then we went our separate ways until it was time to meet up at the venue for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

It was also my sister's birthday on Friday. The bride and groom were incredibly thoughtful and got her favorite 7 lb chocolate cake for dessert. We all sing her happy birthday.

The girls were in charge of making their own bouquets. I thought this was extremely brave of the bride since none of us knew what we were doing. But it was fun and I feel like they all turned out beautifully.

Saturday started early. I was on baby patrol for most of the morning, which is just the kind of patrol I like to be on.

The bride got started at 9:30 and we thought that she should have just kept her hair like this.

My friend/hairdresser showed up and it was finally time to get gussied up.

The morning was super low-key. Everyone was is great spirits and we looked pretty good when all was said and done.

I was in charge of taking the bride to the "first look" photo shoot. I was wonderful having a few moments alone with her on a day where we don't usually get to spend much time with the bride.

Then it was the bridal party's turn to get their pictures taken. I experienced hiking the woods in formal wear, which is now something I can cross off my bucket list.

The ceremony was gorgeous. It was underneath the redwoods. I can't wait to see pictures. The reception was also quite fun. You can tell the bride and groom really, truly love each other.

They played my jam at the flower toss, which made my night.

My sister and I had the crowd in stitches when we gave our speech. I hate public speaking, so I am glad they all enjoyed it.

Of course, the bridal party did not fail on their job to decorate the get away car.

The best part of the night, of course, was the dancing. There were several times when I was one of two people on the dance floor. Typical. My brother-in-law was usually the second person.

After all of that partying, I needed a low-key day. Luckily, that's exactly what I got today. I ran 10.5 miles and then sat down to watch a very important soccer game.

We were very torn in our family since we are Portuguese. I didn't know who to root for, so I went with both.

Just kidding. Of course I was rooting for the US. And let's be honest, I was there for the food and the end of the game where they take their shirts off. ;-) We also celebrated my sister's birthday since we didn't get the chance to on Friday.

Now I am fully planning on sitting in my bed for the rest of the evening. This weekend wore me out.

Did you watch the USA game? How about that very last play!?!?!

The First Few Days of Vacation

I cannot believe the first week of my three week vacation is half over! I swear the time goes way, way too fast. I've been spending a lot of time with some of my favorite people.

I've been loving the extra time I have to run. And the weather has been absolutely  wonderful. I'm getting a pretty good runner's tan on, which will look great in my bridesmaid dress on Saturday.

Speaking of the wedding, I have been at my sister's house every day this week to plan. This means extra time with the love of my life.

It was her daddy's 30th birthday yesterday, so we spent some time celebrating him.

My cohort friends and I spent 3 hours having coffee and gossiping on Monday and then we spent 2 hours yesterday crying while watching The Fault In Our Stars. I even had read the book and knew what was coming. I still cried like a baby.

Today, wedding festivities began. We went to get pedicures with my step-mom and the bride's mom.

I apologized profusely to the poor woman who had to deal with my disgusting runner's feet. She said they definitely were not the worst she's ever seen. I think she may have been lying.  That was nice of her.

I cannot wait to watch this lady walk down the aisle on Saturday. My sister and I spent the morning writing the MOH speech while watching Spain get their butts kicked in the World Cup.

Tomorrow is the bachelorette party. Then Friday is rehearsal and set-up. Then the wedding on Saturday! I cannot believe it's already here. Not a bad way to spend the first week of vacation.

Have you been watching the World Cup?

Father's Day Weekend

Father's Day weekend always starts off my summer. This is usually because school gets out the week before, which means this is the weekend I am finally free. It is also because the weather is usually stunning. This happened on Saturday afternoon and I took it as a good sign.

The Saturday before Father's Day, there is always a huge celebration called The Oyster Fest. This is exactly what it sounds like. People drink beer and eat oysters. Resturaunts from all over the county compete to have the best oysters in all the land and the entire county comes out to play.

My niece got to enjoy her first festival. She's TEN months today!!!

I got to spend some time in the sun with some really good people.

The baby got to play with grass.

It was so nice to relax all afternoon in the sunshine listening to live music. And dancing, of course.

Today was all about celebrating the best dad on the planet.

He is the one from whom I got the running gene. He has also taught me the value of a good work ethic and that you will get much farther in life if you choose to be nice to people. My dad is an amazing man. We started out with breakfast.

Even though we were supposed to be celebrating him, this was the true star of the morning. I mean, really?! Look at this face!

My dad had to Tweet his breakfast, of course. His followers would've been very upset. It's a little sad that my 67-year-old dad has a Twitter and I don't.

Then my dad wanted to go see a movie. When I got home, I did my dad right and went for a run.

I'm convinced my shoes are magical and that I need to get 90 more pairs immediately. They make me run fast and really well. It may just be my state of mind though. 

I made sure to get a sweaty selfie because it's been a long time and I feel you guys deserve it.

My night ended the best way possible, with a sushi party at my sister's house.

We also lit her Christmas tree on fire in the back yard. Yes. Six months later.

The fire got a little out of control.

So I went inside and spent more quality time with my favorite man on this earth.

I am so incredibly thankful that I have such a kindhearted, wonderful, amazing man in my life to call my dad. He's been there for me in every big, life-changing event in my life and really helped me make the last big decision I had to make--- which job to take. He's also there for the small moments too, and that's just as important.

Do you have magical running shoes?