foodies, fitness, and FINALLY…
Today feels/felt like it was such a busy day!! I’m not sure why, other than, I feel like I’ve gotten a lot accomplished… though to be fair, I still have a ton more to do. 
First up… Foodies!
Cookies for a cause…
Meghann at graduatemeghann.com had her blogger bake sale (day 1) today! She is collecting donations, and in this case, auctioning off delicious baked goods from a ton of her wonderful foodie friends! I’m excited to have bid, and as of right now, I’m the top bidder for the one I want! Here’s hoping I stay in the top spot by midnight!
Daily eats…
Today, I had some WEIRD food stuff happen… Lunch, I almost BARFED while eating the chicken in my pita sandwich… I dunno why, but it was revolting. And for dinner, my babe made us some baked tofu, with a salsa/ricotta sauce, and some beans!? Weird, right?? Just a random food day, I guess…
Anyway, here is the breakdown:
Breakfast and AM snack: Multigrain cheerios, skim milk, carrots, and almonds.
Lunch and a special desert: Whole wheat pita, kale, and 2 left over crusty chicken breast tenders that we baked up last night. (that made me gag like a muther.) And 1/2 of a cupcake to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
Afternoon snack: grapes and string cheese
Dinner: Baked tofu, pinto beans, and pineapple chunks
On to the Fitness!!!
Self Challenge
I think I may sign up for the self challenge… I love structure, and these challenge programs that pop up now and again almost always have a new tip or two that I’ll use.
FFFk!
The Freakishly Flexible Five (5)K!
Non-Runner Nancy was recently injured, and as a symbol of support, JogAmerica assisted by ChicRunner are holding a virtual 5k this weekend! I’ve signed up, and will run 3.1 around my neighborhood, record my time, and submit it. I’m really stoked to run this distance again, and note the difference in how it feels.
and FINALLY…
I’ve been interviewed!! the super cool Chia @ ChiaRunner chose to interview me today! I’m excited that such a cool person decided to play along! She’s moving to Austin soon, so here’s to a safe and painless move!
1. What is a quick way to describe you and the theme of your site?
Wow. Well, currently, my blog is a mix of me journaling my health and fitness progress, including healthy eating, and running. I’m currently in the home stretch of the couch to 5k program, and will begin training for my first half marathon in late March. My blog also contains random thoughts, snippets about education and my passion for teaching students with emotional/behavioral disorders. I frequently post random reviews of random goods and services, and VERY occasionally (like every few years, lol) I’ll post something about music (I used to be an active singer and songwriter)
2. How long have you been running? I’ve been running since December 28, 2008. Those first few strides, and 60 second bursts changed my life.
3. What are your 2009 goals both running and otherwise?
Well, I have a few Anti-Resolutions, which pretty much sum up what I hope to accomplish.
Specifically, and even more recently than January, I’ve decided that I want to run my first half marathon before the year is up, and that I’ll definitely be taking a year off of grad school before returning to work on my doctorate… (actually, I think just as I was typing this, I OFFICIALLY decided that.)
4. What was your most defining moment as a person?
Well, one day, I walked into a Starbucks, and met my husband… that was pretty cool. 
And, well, it could just be because I’m thinking about health so much right now, but when I took that health assessment at work, and saw in numbers just how gelatinous I’d let myself become, it rocked me pretty good. I bought the 30 day shred that night, worked out for 30 days straight, and 2ish weeks later, took off running, and training for my first 5k.
Another defining moment of my life, which hasn’t happened yet will be my meeting lola this summer… words cannot express how excited I am about that… (I need to blog about lola, don’t I? none of you know why I’ve not met her… hmm, anyway.)
5. If you could workout with anyone on Earth, who would it be and why?
Honestly, the people I most want to workout with are people from the blogosphere, and not famous athletes. The people who’s blogs I’ve been reading have been my encouragement, support, and trainers! I’d love to hit the pavement with Angie @ AngieEatsPeace, and Frayed Laces (though part of that might be about hawaii. 
), ummmm, and I’d love to get my BUTT whipped by Jillian Michaels, just once though… I’m no masochist.
Well, there it is, my interview! If you want to be interviewed, here it is, Just comment here, and I’ll choose 2 (or more) to interview. (Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you)
here is the official taggy goodness.
To play along:
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Last but not least…
I really need to update my BLOGROLL! So, be patient with me, and maybe this weekend, I’ll get that updated with all my new reads. Goodnight!!
quick update: c25k
I just got back from my last run of week 6. Only 3 more weeks to go!!! I can hardly believe it!
Today, after my 5 minute warm up walk, I took off. I am still keeping a purposely slow pace, because I’m still a bit nervous that if I push too fast too soon, I’ll cap out before I want to.
So, I set off, and in 25 minutes, I went 1.92 miles! I ran 23 minutes and 30 seconds without stopping, when I was BLINDSIDED by a screaming cramp/stitch in my right side! I was stopped, involuntarily by the pain, it surprised me so much. I’d been taking great care to breathe fully and deeply. I walked for about 30 seconds, took off running, and my podcast queen comes in almost immediately and says, “1 minute left, really push it!”
DAMN!
So, technically I ran for 24:30… stupid stitch.
But all in all, I’m pretty proud.
In related news, I have ankles!! Like, actual ankles! hehe.
so, this morning, D and I went to get our oil changed, and the service guy was swamped, and we could just tell he was dreading telling us, “um, it could be up to a couple of hours before we’re done with you guys.”
But, we didn’t care, we know the possible drawbacks of saturday am oil changes. He seemed truly surprised that we weren’t jerks. He in turn was super nice, and friendly. Made me happy.
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Then, at the bank, we were the only people in line. It would have only been a 2 minute wait or so, but the manager came over and opened her till to wait on us. She didn’t need to, and we weren’t being impatient, but she wasn’t doing anything, so she just came and took care of it. It was very nice.
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When I got home, I checked the mail, and my new Garmin footpod was here! Last week, when I called and told them that the unit I got with my forerunner 50 was dead on arrival, they just sent a new one. No questions asked, just, “sure, we’re sorry about that… here you go.
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I’ve had much more traffic on my blog in recent weeks, which as any blogger understands, is a wonderful feeling. Comments, pageviews, and subscriptions make you feel affirmed somehow, and supported. I’ve loved getting comments and feedback, and I hope some of my new readers will continue to make themselves known and not be shy.
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On a final note, there is an interview meme going around, and I would really like to participate. I’ve learned so much about my new blog friends (check out all these cool women I’ve been reading all about! Lara @thinspired, Caitlin @healthytippingpoint, Jess @ 21days, and jess @rungirlrun. These ladies, and a ton more are INSPIRING!!! So, I’ll keep replying to the game chain in hopes of being selected soon.
Have a great day, and find an opportunity to be nice today!
My first runner’s high…
Good evening bloggers!
I wanted to blog about my completely wonderful, WONDERFUL experience
on Tuesday. I’m on week 6 of c25k, and so Tuesday was a run day, but I
wasn’t so sure about it when I got home. I was tired, grumpy, and had
a pretty rotten day all together. It was my special time of the month,
and I was just totally dreading it.
When I stepped outside after work, however, my whole outlook changed.
It was a GLORIOUS February day in North Texas, a perfect 63ish
degrees, sun still shining, and… I became pretty excited about it by
the time I got home.
So, I strapped on my beautiful kicks, and my forerunner 50, and set
off. My www.kissmyblackass.org podcast was a glorious mix of 80s
songs, and it was just weird. All of the sudden, I’m running, and my
pace is good! My best, I think! At least it certainly felt fast, and
my legs were really moving. My knees were really lifting and my heels
really kicking back. I FELT like a runner.
I was reading one of the MANY awesome blogs I’m subscribed to, and I
came across the lovely Mrs. Thinspired talking about what makes one a
runner. (http://www.thinspiredblog.com/?p=4600) She referenced a post
that I read, and forgot to respond to over @ healthy tipping point
(http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2009/01/what-makes-someone-runner.html),
and I have to say, that if anyone had asked me in that moment if I was
a runner, I would have shouted a resounding YES.
For anyone keeping score, I couldn’t jog a 1/4 mile 6 weeks ago.
It is never too late to make a positive change in your life. Never.
It’s all about the goods
Hey, hey!
I’ve actually been wanting to blog for several days, just because I’ve been in a pretty darn great mood for about 2 weeks straight. I thought I’d talk about the top 5 things in my life (the goods) that are rocking my world, especially in the arena of fitness and health.
5. Klean Kanteen
My klean kanteen is a great help throughout the day, I know that before I go home from work, I need to drink 2 bottles full of water. I love the weight of the bottle. (Yes, I know that it can double as a weapon on dark walks to my car from the fitness center;) ) I also love that I know I’m drinking clean water, without any toxins leeching from my plastic bottles.
4. Whole Wheat
Whole wheat is taking over my life! I’ve traded in my regular “wheat bread” for a variety that is actually 100% whole grain (not to mention free of high fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, which is another cause for madness all on its own). Also, I’m on the whole wheat pasta bandwagon, whole grain waffles, whole grain pita… It is filling, and keeps me rolling through the workday without grabbing for candy or treats.
3. Data Trackers
I’ve got to cheat a little and combine two of my most important tools into this one category. I like data and keeping track of minutia, part of that is tracking what is coming into my body, and what I’m doing to burn it off of my body.
Sparkpeople/DailyPlate
and
Sparkpeople and the Daily Plate are huge helps for me. First, Sparkpeople is how I track my workouts, and get meal plans for the week. It tracks my weight and measurements, as well as provides me with tons of really great articles. Another cool feature that has been motivational for me, is the point system. For doing good stuff, and accomplishing goals, I earn points (that are virtually useless) but I still want them, dangit!
Daily Plate is FAR superior to Sparkpeople for finding specific, brandname nutrition information. Ate a can of Amy’s organic lentil soup? It’s on dailyplate. Ate a McDonald’s egg mcmuffin with no canadian bacon? It’s on dailyplate. Now to be fair, as I’ve significantly reduced the amount of junk I eat, but even greek yogurt, raw almonds, and veggiepatch portobello burgers are in there. It is a great resource.
Garmin Forerunner 50 + Garmin Connect
Now, how I track what I’m doing to take calories OUT of my body, my garmin forerunner 50. This badboy is my second attempt at a heart rate monitor/tracker. This thing is awesome! I’ve been able to get detailed information about my pace, distance, calories burned, and cadence. It is a really great device, and I’m really enjoying the cool tools on their data management site, garmin connect.
2. Good Running Shoes (for me- Nike Zoom Structure Triax+12)
Getting fitted for, buying, and using these running shoes have made all the difference in my runs. I’m able to go farther, faster, and without pain. These shoes feel like they were made for my feet, and make me feel like I’m running on clouds. They’re extremely breathable, and I just can’t tell you how awesome they are. I <3 them.
1. human support system
I’ve got a GREAT support system. My hubby is awesome, and always has something great to say that keeps me motivated. Just the other day, I was walking in front of him in the grocery store, and like a good husband, he checked out my butt. He proceeded to stop me, turn me around, give me a kiss, look me in the eye, and say, “I’m so proud of you. Your jeans are REALLY baggy in the butt, like, they look like they’re gonna fall off.” That was a good moment.
Jess always goes the extra mile to encourage me throughout the workday. I found this in my inbox last week:
Roses are red,
Violets always pout,
Have you been working out?Because you look svelte.
Can you beat that? I don’t think so.
Lastly, I’ve got a GREAT online community of highly knowledgeable and supportive women, who I check in with on a daily basis. They are always there to listen, or guide, and they have great ideas about fitness, and how I can keep my life on track.
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I know this was a long one, but I’ve been wanting to write it for a while. I’m really enjoying my journey, and I hope you’re doing well on yours!
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