Pics from Cali!

Here are a few pics from my trip last week. They are in no particular order, just a few from my camera on things I mentioned on my blog.

The Best Day Ever

A hike overlooking LA and the Hollywood sign. The cutest lunch deli with delicious food while spotting celebrity Adrian Greenier from Entourage. Wine outside on a beautiful day with best friends. Does this all seem possible? Yes, it does! And it was! I had a very memorable last day in California yesterday. It's one of those days I'm sure I'll remember the rest of my life.

Natalie and I the night before.

Lee! Who made the PANCAKES!

We woke up and started the day with homemade Pancakes and strawberry sauce made by our friend Lee. We drove to LA to hike g through Runyon Canon Park in Hollywood. The hike took about 2 hours and was absolutely stunning. We saw views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood sign. It was a perfect sunny day and the weather was ideal for a hike. The hike was challenging, but not too difficult and I was sad when we finished. It was about a 3 mile hike all together, with beautiful views.

Peek a boo Hollywood sign!

Love.

After our hike we headed to the The Mustard Seed to eat lunch. While walking past the window I spotted "Vinny" from Entourage. I couldn't think of his name, and I was a little bit more starstruck than I thought I'd be. He is really good looking in a very pretty boy kind of way, and seemed to be enjoying his lunch. If we didn't just finish a long hike and was starving I probably would have asked to take a picture with him. Also, he was eating lunch and no one seemed to be bothering him so I didn't want to make a scene, even though I kind of did. I did manage to get a pic of him walking out of the restaurant, even though and one point we were only a few inches away!

Bye bye Adrian Grenier :( 

Coco staring at the Hollywood sign in between opening the window with her paws.

After lunch we headed to "There's no place like HOME" restaurant. It was adorable! The theme was "home" obviously, and it was a very cute, laid back feeling.

After lunch we headed back to LAX area and had a quick bite for dinner. I don't remember the name, but it was a all vegetarian restaurant. I realize where my weaknesses are when it comes to ordering out. I had a side of sweet potato friends I could have easily went without at dinner and a side of potato salad at lunch that I could have easily switched to salad. I have to start making these small changes, and stop treating everything as a "special" occasion.

The flight home last night was easy, I slept the entire way. I woke up in Detroit, came to my house and slept a few more hours. Now I am sitting in my messy room, trying to get the motivation to unpack to pack again, while thinking of the amazing time I had in California. I am really happy I chose not to cancel the trip. The next few days are going to be insane, but I'll make it work.

Today is 100% a REST day. It is a beautiful day in Michigan, I just need a day of REST for my body. I ran/walked/hiked 40 miles the last 3 days, so I think it's well deserved :) At this moment I feel happy and extremely blessed to have such great friends all over.

Sunshine in Manhattan

What a difference the sun makes! The beach, the walking trail, CALIFORNIA- everything looks better when the sun's out :) 

I logged 17.3 miles today. 

I left the house at 10:30 AM, walked to Natalie's work 5.5 miles away, then we ran to the beach and back which was another 5 miles. When I looked at my watch it was at 10.5, but then I stopped it to eat some of the snacks I packed and tour Natalie's work. 

When I started again, it lost my previous 10.5 and I had to start again, but when I got home my watch read 6.8. I got home around 5:30 so the entire day was 7 hours of exploring, walking, shopping and enjoying Manhattan beach. 

The morning started with a small mango smoothie from Jamba Juice. I got a extra shot of immunity and energy (I needed it!) 

I stopped for a cupcake at Cupcakes Couture in Manhattan Beach. It was really random because I have actually been following them on facebook for a few months! A friend of mine on facebook is friend with the owner and was promoting it on the page and I "liked" it to see the cute cupcakes and cakes they were creating. Since then I have seen it on one of my favorite blogs green wedding shoes! I just happened to spot it yesterday when Natalie and I were out to dinner and knew I wanted to make it back today.

I went for the gluten free red velvet cupcake. The frosting was good, the cake not so much. I wanted a healthier version. I should have stuck with a "mini" real one.

I walked the strand back home. I am pretty sleepy right now. I'm waiting for Natalie to get home from work. Tonight we are going out in Manhattan so I'm excited to experience this area. I really like the vibe in California. It was great to see so many active people walking, running, biking and playing volleyball. I wasn't sure if I could see myself living in California, but I'm starting to think I can...

It's crazy to think I've traveled 37.5 miles in two days... on foot.

20 miles :)

I ran 20 miles in 3:54:21. 

Wow. What a great, great afternoon. I did 21 miles last week in Florida in 5:04:39 and 20 today is 3:54:21. I wore my yellow Brooks running shirt, a hot pink lululemon sports bra top, lululemon shorts (which was bad because my legs chafed, really would have preferred to wear my pants but there's a big hole in the back), lululemon socks, lululemon headband and the KT tape knee wrap. I ran the majority of it today and only stopped to take breaks to eat shot Cliff bloks and have water. I brought 2 waters, one pack of Tropical Punch Cliff bloks,  and pretzels with peanut butter for a snack. I had the bloks and water about every 4-5 miles and drank my water around then too. Around mile 18 I stopped in a deli to pick up a gatorade and a Muscle Milk protein shake. (I also bought a "Oh Yeah" protein shake, but I didn't drink it... It's for tomorrow)

I ran the entire "strand" back and forth twice, up and down two piers and then had to circle around my friends apartment at the end to reach 20. I ran the majority of it and stopped to refuel, but other than that my body felt pretty good. I had texts from Hannah throughout which helped, and the first half flew by. Actually up until about 15 went pretty fast, with the view of the houses and ocean but the last 5 miles dragged. I am currently icing my feet which feel really swollen and my knee which hurt a little throughout. I am THRILLED I bought new tennis shoes today, I can't wait to get them. I need them. Tonight my friend Natalie and I are going to sushi for dinner. I have a feeling I am going to be hungry...

This was in someone's window! Hello! 

The weather was perfect. It was mid 60s with sun here and there. I was able to keep my long sleeve on the entire time without getting too hot or too cold. It was fun to people watch. It was inspiring to look at the amazing houses. I spent the day at the beach, doing something I love, running. I couldn't have asked for a better day.