I might be the only girl who can chip a "no chip" gel manicure!

Today was my "rest" day, but I actually really wanted to go to Yoga. I woke up at 7:55 AM excited to go to Yoga!  I started the morning with my favorite 1/4 combination of flax cereal, greek yogurt and blueberries. I put it in a little cup and it looked like a parfait! The class today was called "fusion" it was basically the slow flow with a few "extra twists and turns". I liked it, however I think the instructor makes the world of difference for the energy in the class, and I definitely liked last weeks class better. The instructor today was talking a lot about "expectations" however, and it made me think- what is the difference between a expectation and a goal?

After Yoga I came home, showered and picked up my mom to meet my sister at Brio for lunch. I had green tea and the beef capriccio appetizer as a meal! My girlfriends all order this as our meal and waiters and waitresses always comment how funny that is. 

After lunch my mom and I went to get manicures and pedicures at a place in Partridge Creek called "The Nail Longue".  My girlfriends always go here to get this gel manicure that supposedly is IMPOSSIBLE to chip. It also claims to last 3 weeks. Well nothing is impossible, especially for me. I managed to chip my thumb by accidentally touching it before she was even finished. I didn't know how it would turn out when it dried but there is definitely a little hole chip on my thumb. I can NEVER seem to walk out with a perfect manicure! Why is this so difficult for me! We will see how long this lasts on me. I went with a summery pink color for the 80 degree weather I will be encountering in Florida. 

The snow is coming down pretty hard right now. It was sunny and beautiful last week, and I thought spring was in the air. I was wrong, but that is Michigan weather! Tomorrow I have a 3 mile run at race pace, and after that my training schedule just has a few "20 minute" and "30 minute" runs here and there! After tomorrow I have officially completed the assigned runs on my training schedule. I have a few more errands and things to pack before tomorrow, but in 24 hours I will be at the airport! 

Productive Saturday!

What a productive Saturday I've had so far! I went to breakfast with my mom, went to REI, Lululemon and BCBG at the mall, ran my 3 EZ miles, did strength training all in a snowstorm! I bought the two GU Energy Gel's in Chocolate Outrage and JET Blackberry, I bought two CLIFF Shot Turbo Energy Gels in Double Expresso and Chocolate Cherry and a pack of GU Chomps Pure Performance Energy Chews. I am excited to try these on my 12 mile run next weekend!

I bought the Reverse Groove Shorts, Flo Y Bra IV, and a sliplesss headband  at Lululemon.

I want to try the shorts because they are a little longer, and I want something that won't chafe at all, but not as hot as crops or pants. I am debating between wearing the shorts or a run skirt I previously bought. Nothing was on sale today that I bought, and I saw the skirt I bought a few weeks ago for $50 on sale for $19 so that was annoying. I love getting items on sale at Lululemon, because there is rarely anything great on sale- however I hate it's final sale! I still don't know what I'll wear to the Princess Half Marathon , but I am really excited for a trip to Florida and some nice weather! I can't decide if I want to be Minnie or a Princess for this day! How cute is the bow? I bought it in Tokyo Disney Sea!

I will also most likely wear this headband because it doesn't slip whatsoever! 

I also finally caved in and bought a Yoga mat. I bought "The Mat" at lululemon, because the reviews online were much higher than for the regular mat. The regular mat said it was slippery, and since I know I will be starting yoga with my groupon, I wanted a good mat. My goal is to learn the technique enough at the 24 classes I purchased to be able to do videos at home, and this mat can go on carpet- which is what I have in my room. I bought it in light purple, it's heavy and kind of smells weird but I'll see how it is in YOGA!

Today was my EZ run, and 3 miles seemed so short after the 10 yesterday! 

I ran my 3 miles EZ run in 29 minutes and 50 seconds.

Today was my last day at the gym I joined on a week pass to use the track, it was fun to run on the track today because it was snowing so hard.

I also got my new CDs in the mail today from Amazon! I can't wait to update my playlist. I will review all of the items I bought, as soon as I use them. Happy weekend!

SNOW DAY!

It has been announced, SNOW DAY tomorrow!

I am so excited. The best part of a snow day is the night before! I am going to watch "Across the Universe" tonight (one of my favorite movies) and clean my room. Sounds like a perfect snow night to me! I am anxious to see the storm that will actually come tomorrow. I'm excited I took tomorrow as my REST day, I won't have to go to the gym in the snow OR feel guilty about missing a training day!

The snowstorm is coming!?!?!

It is supposed to snow 15 inches tonight in Michigan! Will work be cancelled is the big question? It's supposed to be a blizzard and people are really making a big deal out of this storm... I just hope people are safe, and don't go on the road unless it's NECESSARY!

Since I am doing a snow dance and anticipating a day off work tomorrow, I switched my "rest" day from today to tomorrow and went to the gym to do my 5 miles today.

I ran 5 miles at 44 min 07 seconds. 8.47 min miles

When I was finished running, a random man on the track said "good job, you were my motivator". It was nice to hear that from a stranger! Before my ran I drank a Melaleuca Access Shake.

Here is the description:

• Patented nutrition that turns fat into fuel
• • Energizes your workout
  • Offers endurance with less fatigue and soreness

They also come in bars. I can definitely tell the difference if I have a bar/ shake or if I don't energy wise. I use all Melaleuca products, from hand wash to shampoo/ conditioner, vitamins and fitness products. 

A few weeks ago Living Social  had a great deal for Amazon, buy $10 and get a $20 credit. I bought it, and purchased two CD's for my half marathon. I usually don't buy CD's, instead I download music off Itunes, however I remember really liking both of these CD's while working out. I hope my taste hasn't changed too much, which it usually doesn't when it comes to music, but these are the CD's I bought...

and

Here is the playlist:

Source Presents Hip Hop Hits 2
1. Still Not a Player
2. Money Ain't a Thang
3. Money, Power & Respect
4. Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby)
5. Do for Love
6. Hope I Don't Go Back
7. Party Ain't a Party
8. Turn It Up (Remix)/Fire It Up
9. Get at Me Dog
10. Still a G Thang
11. It's Alright
12. What'cha Gonna Do?
13. Horse & Carriage
14. N.O.R.E.
15. I Got the Hook Up
16. Luv 2 Luv U [Remix]
17. 4, 3, 2, 1
18. Gone Till November

Dance Party (Like it's 2003)

1. I Don't Want U - Wide Life

2. I Never Knew (Mike Rizzo Global Dance Mix) - Gloria Gaynor

3. It Just Won't Do - Tim Deluxe featuring Sam Obernik

4. Milky - Just the Way You Are

5. Safe From Harm - Narcotic Thrust featuring Yvonne John Lewis

6. I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Roxane

7. Back 4 the Morning - Neja

8. Tears (Dezrock Radio Mix) - Rockell

9. No One's Gonna Change You - Reina

10. Rainy Day - Renee Stakey

11. Heaven - DJ Sammy & Yanou featuring Do

12. Take Me Away (Into the Night) - 4Strings

13. The Theme - Jurgen Vries

14. Something - Lasgo

15. Reason - Ian Van Dahl

16. Come(Into My Dream) - Foggy

I am always looking for new music when I run. I like to listen to ANYTHING, and by that I mean ANYTHING. I listen to all different genres, depending on my mood mostly. I really like to listen to songs I just like in general, but need to switch it up a lot so I don't get bored. Let me repeat that, I need to switch it up A LOT.

Today I ate toast with sliced chicken and avocado for breakfast at around 6:50 AM. I ate 5 cherries for a snack around 9 AM. I ate lunch a little earlier today around 11 AM and it was a sliced chicken, avocado and mustard sandwich and a few slices of mango, and a small chocolate cookie. Around 2 PM I had a access shake before working out. I was really hungry after my workout so I came home and ate a tomato with salt and balsamic vinegar, and a slice of cheese. 

My little cousins are coming over for dinner and we are having shrimp lobster sauce and rice, a Chinese dish my dad makes. 

Unless I make up any recipes, which I doubt I will as of now- I don't really see a point on posting pictures of the food I eat on here, unless it's really special! I am currently living with my parents, so I am not creating any recipes, rather eating what is in the house. My dad is really into fitness as well, he has completed a few half marathons by running/walking them. He ran a 10k with me in the summer at the Detroit Zoo which was a blast, and offered free access to the Zoo after the run. My dad likes the races, but doesn't really like the training process! He does a lot of the OnDemand workouts throughout the week, and sometimes I will join him for them. My mom and dad are currently counting sugar on labels, something I would be willing to try, however like I have stated my main goal is to be able to eat anything I want, in proportion and knowing how to fuel myself properly for the amount of running I do.

So, will this blizzard take place? I guess we will see! Today my legs were a little sore and hurt in my shins, which I hope are not shin splints because I used to get them in high school (I think from wearing the wrong shoes) and I can't think of anything worse as a runner! Does anyone have any cure for them?

Hopefully I won't be going anywhere tomorrow, and just enjoying a SNOW DAY!

What do you do after a long run? Another run!

Although I'm not sore today, my left ankle is kind of bothering me. This started happening when I returned home from Thailand. I am not sure exactly what caused it. I went skydiving in May and when I landed, didn't bend my knees because I was too excited! I landed flat on my ankle straight legs, and it didn't hurt that bad but I have been a little sore in my ankle ever since. Today I wore a ankle brace I bought at Hanson's Running Shop .

After the long runs, my training schedule says you are supposed to do a shorter run at a EZ pace. I usually do these on the treadmill at the speed of 5.5-6.0 but I think today I am going to do my 4 EZ miles on the track. 

Since I am also trying to incorporate strength training I am going to go to a Trifecta class tonight at my local gym. It's twenty minutes of step, twenty minutes of another type of cardio and finishes with twenty minutes of muscle conditioning. I should probably be attending more Sculpt or Body Sculpting classes, however I really enjoy the Trifecta one and believe the chances of me going are better if I actually enjoy my time there!

As for food consumption today, I have been trying to watch my "sugar" intake. My goal is not so much be on a diet, rather watch what I eat and eat it moderately so I can eat everything in portions! 

I ate greek yogurt with blueberries for breakfast at around 6:50 AM, a clementine at 9:00 AM, and a chicken sandwich, iced tea, slice of mango and a few grapes at 11:45 AM. I will update this post in a few hours when I get home from the gym. I am going to take a nap now!

UPDATE: 8:29 PM

I went to the gym around 6:15ish. I ate dinner around 5, which is a little earlier than I like to but I knew I had to run and didn't want to leave too late. I joined a seven day free membership at the local Bally's by my house, mainly just to use the track for the week and get off the treadmill. I got there and didn't have my license or any kind of ID so they almost didn't even let me in, ugh. Finally they did and I started my run at 6:36 PM and REALLY took advantage of the EZ next to the 4 miles. 

I ran my 4 miles today in 43 min 31 seconds

It was definitely a relaxed run. After the run I did about 25 minutes of 8 lb free weights and abs. I did a few lunges as well. I don't know why I dislike free weights so much, I think I'm just bored when I do it. My goal will be to go online and print out a few different things I can do. When I find them I will post them.

I wore my lululemon "Relaxed Fit Crop II"  which are $86 online, however I bought them on sale for $24 in the store! I own them in static charcoal/ very violet.  These are not really running pants, and I wouldn't really recommend them for running either. The bottoms kind of swish back and forth when I ran and it was a little annoying, even though I was going at such a relaxed pace. I wore a old yellow Victoria Secret mesh shirt and a Pantagonia Women's Capilene 2 Zip-Neck shirt. I actually got this for free off moosejawrewards.com after earning points for buying a Northface jacket and backpack. 

Pantagonia Capilene 2 Zip-Neck Shirt

Lululemon Relaxed Fit Crop II

I really like the Pantagonia top. Here is the description:

The Women's Capilene 2 Zip-Neck Shirt by Patagonia bears the open, highly breathable knit and feathery weight of Capilene 2 which affords unhindered airflow, excellent wicking for endurance activities in warm to moderate temperatures--it's also our fastest-drying Capilene. Because of its low-bulk design and streamlined fit, Capilene 2 also acts an excellent layering piece beneath Capilene 3 or 4 during colder weather. The curvilinear construction provides an updated, fast-forward fit, with seams that won't chafe under a pack or climbing sling. Made of quick-wicking, fast-drying 54% post-consumer recycled (and 100% recyclable) Capilene 2 polyester, with Gladiodor natural odor control. 

We are supposed to have a snow storm Wednesday! I was going to take tomorrow a rest day, but I am going to reconsider that and switch it to Wednesday... If I don't have to go to work, there's no way I'm heading to the gym! Instead I'll run my 5 mile run tomorrow at a "comfortable pace", meaning definitely not 10-11 minute miles but probably around 9 or less. 

For dinner tonight I had pasta sauce (no noodles, I'm weird), 2 turkey meatballs and a salad with avocado, tomato and mango. When I got home from the gym I had an apple!

What to do if we have a snowstorm?