A Trip to San Francisco

Boyfriend got off work this morning and we immediately hit the road. We were on our way to San Francisco for an overnight trip.

San Francisco is my very favorite city on the planet, probably because it's the city I've been to the most. I can navigate through the city fairly well. And some day, I hope to live near here. Our first stop was a coffee shop about an hour outside of town. The bathroom had some good words of advice for me.

Our second stop was Whole Foods in San Rafael because I was getting hangry and all I could dream of was a salad from their food bar.

We finally made it to the hotel where we relaxed for a few minutes before my soul mate and her husband showed up.

Our hotel has a great view of downtown......

We wandered down to Union Square, which is actually my least favorite part of the city because of the millions of people, but it is the closest to us. We may have people watched the strangers ice skating for awhile. Then we went to eat Thai food with boyfriend's cousin who lives here. I ended my evening with froyo.

Now it's off to bed because it's an early morning for me.

I Didn't Run Today

It has been a really long time since I took an unplanned rest day from running. I mean, so long that I honestly can't remember the last time I took a break on a day that I usually run. I typically run 6 days a week, resting on Saturday before my long runs on Sunday. But today, I couldn't even think about runnin without wanting to lay on the ground crying. I ran yesterday, though.

About 3 miles into my run, my foot hurt and my hip hurt but I stupidly kept going. Well, that meant today my foot and my hip hurt pretty badly today. I also had my very own photographer at the gym yesterday.

I did chest and triceps and had a fun photo shoot.

Today, I went to my mom's classroom to observe. We have to have 45 hours of general education observations, and since I had today off, I decided to go with her to knock some time off my list. One of her students drew this for me. She was too cute.

When I got home, I just could not even fathom putting one foot in front of another or even lifting heavy things off the ground. So I did a T25 video and called it good for the day. I'm pretty proud of myself for listening to my body and not running. I don't do it very often.  Now I'm laying in my bed in the most comfortable pjs in the world.

On a completely different note, I finally finished the scarf I've been knitting for several months. I wore it today and was extra happy with it.

And that's my cup I drink coffee out of every morning. Learning little things about me every blog post. :-)

Any weekend plans??

I Was That Girl

I had a dentist appointment today at 3:15. I only tell you the time because it's important to my story. My mentor teacher told me it was fine to leave at 2, and it's 30 minutes exactly to the gym. I had about 35 minutes of awkward time, so I did what any normal person would do and ran.

It's blurry, because if you notice the time, it's 3:06. I quickly washed my face and got into the car. Still sweaty. Which meant I was incredibly sweaty when I got to the dentist.  I had time to brush my teeth in the bathroom even though I was 5 minutes late. This is me in the bathroom, still sweating.

Yeah, I was that girl. The one who didn't shower after a workout and went into public. I sweated all over that dentist chair and I didn't even care. A side note; am I the only one who gags at that gross stuff they polish your teeth with? I definitely went back to the gym after to finish up my workout.

Then I decided that, since I was at the gym at the correct time, I would go to my circuit class that I hadn't been to in months. I honestly don't know when the last time I went was, but it was the best decision I've made this week. My trainer always kicks my butt.

Now, I am laying in bed, obsessively watching Scandal. Netflix judges me and asks me if I'm sure I still want to watch. That's how obsessed I am.

Have you ever been the smelly kid?

So, I'm Bad At Math

Yesterday it was back to the grind. While college classes haven't started up, us student teachers still have to go to our placements four days a week. The difference is that we don't have to be in class at 2:30 for another two weeks, so we have the afternoons free. So it's almost like a mini-vacation for most of us. Except that I have been asked to stay all day this week to help out due to lack of staffing. More experience? Yes please! Today I was completely in charge, and that was so exciting! Of course, this means I've been hitting the gym later than normal.

I'm totally lacking pictures for this post, so you get a random one of boyfriend, since he's at work and I miss him.

Yesterday, I hit the 'mill because of potential rain (us Californians need rain in a BAD way). My legs were heavy and I was tired for the majority of my first run, so I called it quits at 4.5 miles.

I went and lifted for about 45 minutes. There is just something so great about picking up heavy things. Running is my therapy, lifting is my anger management. 

I decided to get back on the 'mill to round up my workout. By the end of my lifting session, I wanted to run 2 more miles to make it an even 6. Well, my legs felt much better so, I kept going for another half mile. Apparently, I'm terrible at math and realized that 4.5 + 2.5 = 7.

Don't worry, I'm much better at teaching math than doing it in my head after a heavy workout session. 

Today was much of the same. It was leg day at the gym, a day that is always dreaded, but much loved. I have noticed such an improvement in my backside since consistently training my legs. I've also noticed much better runs more frequently. I'm a firm believer in squats. (firm.. Ha... See what I did there?) 

It's already Wednesday tomorrow! I am heading to the city this weekend for the night for a very special reason. I'm pretty excited and nervous.

What is your favorite exercise besides running?

What's the Point??

This weekend was pretty much perfect as a last hoorah before getting back into the swing of things. 

On Saturday, after not one, but two rounds of Shaun T's new DVD T25, boyfriend and I headed down to his mom's house to clean out his old room. We played with his grandma's mini horse for a couple of minutes before we got started. Yes. You know you're dating a country boy when there's a horse mowing the lawn.

It was surprisingly fun going through his room and finding love letters from old high school girlfriends an his journals that he used to write in. I also found his old glasses. I put them on and instantly looked 79-years-old. Finally, I look my age.

I also found some incredibly heavy weights and got in another good workout....

Can you even see them?? After we finished there, we went to Art's Alive because it was the first Saturday of the month and that's what we always do. We met my sister and the babes for Indian food and belly dancing again. I finished the night knitting with my BFF at her house.

This morning, I thought I was being clever and packed my stuff for my long run so I could go straight to my dad's.

Turns out, I brought the wrong pants. Long pants in 60 degree weather? No thanks. I also forgot socks. I obviously deserve the runner of the year award. Luckily I had a delicious brunch to make me forget about running for awhile.

When I finally got the correct gear for my run and drove to my dad's, it was already almost 4. I was chasing the sun the entire time. I made it 8 miles before getting on the treadmill because it was getting too dark for me to be out alone.

During my 8 miles, I was honked at 7 times, twice by the same driver that passed by me again. Please tell me what the point of honking at a runner is besides to scare the crap out of them? I was incredibly close to flipping the driver that honked twice off. But, I'm trying to get a professional job, which means I need to be professional all of the time. I finished my run with 4 much slower miles on the 'mill.

I'm also a little obsessed with my new thick headband that I bought at TJ Maxx.

I helped Dad cook dinner by taking sneaky photos of him.

He made us the most delicious comfort food.

I followed it up, of course, with my bowl of whipped cream.

Now I'm going to settle in and watch some Scandal before heading to sleep to get a good night's rest before school tomorrow.

How was your weekend?

So What Now?

I've been putting off writing the obligatory New Year's Resolution blog because, to be honest, I really have no true resolutions. Since I completed last year's goal (not resolution because it really was just a goal), I have thought of other goals, but they're time consuming and I need to figure out if I truly want to commit to them. Of course, my biggest goal for this year is to get a job after my program is complete.

I have been thinking about fitness goals for 2014, and I know I want mine to have something to do with weights. 2013 was focused on running. I trained for my first half marathon and completed it. I fell back in love with running and know how good it makes me feel. I still lifted 4 times a week, but my focus wasn't there. I would like to go heavier in 2014. I would like to switch up the routine I've fallen into and challenge my body in a whole new way. Let's see if that actuall happens.

So those are a few thoughts I've had floating around in my head. Who knows what will come of them. The big fitness goal that I have floating around will be the ultimate test of willpower and will take a lot of time and dedication. So my feelings on it goes back and forth daily. I will let you in on it as soon as I make an actual decision.

Yesterday, was just another day in the life of Rachel. Boyfriend only worked a 24 hour shift, but he went out with a friend for 6 hours so I was on my own. It was absolutely gorgeous outside (sorry East Coasters...) and the thought of a treadmill run absolutely killed me inside. So, I stepped outside.

After my run, I forced myself into the gym where I trained my legs for an hour. I usually just get straight off the 'mill and lift, but since I had the time in the car to cool down, I realized just how sweaty my lifting routine makes me. I was dripping. Also, the gym was surprisingly quiet. I basically had the gym to myself. Usually January is crazy busy.

 

As if an hour of legs weren't enough, I it on the stairstepper for 10 minutes of HIIT at the end. I was basically dead.

Then, I went to my friend's house where we made zucchini lasagne. It was wonderful, even if we took way too long to make it and didn't really follow the recipe. It was the company that mattered, anyway. 

Today was back and bicep day. It was no longer beautiful outside, so treadmill it was.

Boyfriend and I went to Costco and ran some other errands when I was done. And now we are laying in bed watching Say Anything. Apparently it's a really popular movie and I'm incredibly late to the party.

Tomorrow marks my last weekend of freedom before beginning real life again.

Happy New Year!

I feel as though yesterday was the longest New Year's Eve in the history of my existence. I went to the gym about an hour and a half before it closed (they closed early). I ran 4.7 miles and lifted chest. Except the gym was SO crowded, I had to lay on the floor for half of my lifts. Everyone was getting a head start on their resolutions I guess. Then boyfriend and I spent the evening doing really fun things.

Finally, after what felt like 48 years, we met my besties at the movies where we saw The Wolf of Wall Street. I did not realize it would be three hours long. We got out of there at 11:15, so I guess that shaved some time off of the night. We headed to my dad and step mom's friend's house where we danced. And I held my love.

We missed the countdown. We looked at our phones and at 11:58. Then again at 12:01. So we did the countdown anyway. Then the boys lit sparklers.

I was in bed by 12:30. Way past my bed time. This afternoon, I avoided the gym and went to my dad's. I got really into my workout.

I stopped at 4.5 miles and did ab circuits and then mile sprints.

Needless to say, I was starving for lunch.

My mom, brother, and I took the dogs to the beach for a sun set walk. It was freezing, but the fresh air was just what I needed.

Now I am headed to my sister's house for game night. It's been a lovely start to 2014. 

How has your first day of the year been??