Pittsburgh Marathon!

I'm officially all set up for the Pittsburgh Marathon.  I am so excited! Today I booked my flight. I am leaving Orlando on Saturday and returning Monday. It is going to be a SHORT trip, with a lot of travel, but I didn't want to make it longer since I will be starting my new job just the week before. I was considering leaving Friday night, or early Saturday morning, but my schedule allows me to be rested and just be like a regular weekend with the exception of the majority of it traveling or running. I won the flight and registration from Arctic Ease, and they have been so helpful and accommodating. I can't wait to meet the great people behind it! It will be fun to have people supporting me there, even if I just met them, or barely know them at all. Today was jam packed of errands/ getting ready for Florida. My sister is on her way here right now for a quick dinner before we head off to Bonita Springs for the weekend. I am bringing my laptop to track my runs, which I am 100% committed to doing this weekend. Bring on the sun!

Just one of those days

Today was "just one of those days" where I just felt stressed and uneasy. I am really ready to be done with my previous job, I only have 6 days left which is great. Work went by slow, and I had really bad cramps today. I didn't feel well at all so after school I came home and took a long nap. When I woke up and had dinner, I decided I would do two yoga classes again. I am so happy I did. However, it's 10:46 PM and I am wide awake right now.

Yoga was crowded, very crowded. The Xflowsion class was fun, but at the end of the day the room felt humid and damp. I felt like I got a good workout, but that class is really what you put into it. I stayed after for "Slow drumming Flow" which is basically slow flow with some drum playing. The 2 hours seemed to go by fast, and I was happy to spend some of the day active. I didn't get even half of what I wanted to accomplish today, and tomorrow night I leave for Florida. I am going to bring my laptop. I am excited for the trip, but I haven't packed or anything yet. I'm guessing tomorrow will be another busy morning, but at least I'll know I have the sunshine to look forward too. I'm going to make a conscious effort to drink a LOT of water tomorrow because the weather forecast for this weekend is HOT! I am planning on a long run, short run and swimming in the 3 days weekend. Sounds perfect to me!

To slow flow or not to slow flow?

To slow flow! Today I accomplished everything on my "to do" list. I love lists, actually they drive me crazy but I love them and need them at the same time. My weekly, daily, and "things" to do list and planner, help organize my life. Today's was quite full, in fact I didn't get home until 9:45 PM tonight after leaving the house at 7 AM this morning.

By the time I got to my cousins and ate dinner and a half of brownie I was exhausted. I really didn't know if I wanted to go to Yoga or not. I wanted to, but I didn't know if I even felt like changing and driving there. I went back and forth, and just went for it. I am so happy I did! Tonight was a "slow flow" class at Yoga Shelter, but it was very intense. The class was PACKED, at least 40 people in 4 rows and even people in the door. It was a really good class, and right in the beginning of class the instructor told us to forget about our day and set a intention and focus in class. That is exactly what I tried to do, since my mind has been racing and for a few minutes of the crazy day it seemed to work! My intention was to relax, and I do feel much better now after going. There is something about going to yoga when it's dark out that just feels more relaxing. The room seems so different in the dark than the daylight, and knowing it's the end of the night vs. the beginning of the day has a feel to the room that you can really leave everything you went through the day at the door and just focus in class. I need to find a new yoga place in Orlando, I'm hooked!

I don't have as much running around tomorrow, but I do want to go to my new favorite "XFlowsion" class. I really should be running too, but with the miserable weather and the few yoga sessions I have left from my Groupon I hope to make up a few long ones this weekend. I don't know if it's better to take the time off or keep at it when in pain, but with the yoga, chiropractor (and a little bit of foam roller) and rest my hip feels like it is getting better. My chiropractor said I should look into wrapping my knee when I run, like doing a figure 8 around the knee cap. Has anyone ever heard of this? I feel like I am getting different advice from websites/ people/ and dr.'s. I guess I just have to try things and figure out what works best for me, which is exactly why I am recording it and writing this blog!

I really liked the "motivational quote" from yesterday, from Spark People. I don't really know what this website is all about and only came across it looking for quotes- I didn't even realize until this second it was about weight loss. Anyways, I have been lacking in any kind of picture taking so here is another one I liked. Enjoy! :)

Monday

Happy Monday! FYI I need to look into taking glucosamine and fish oil pills. They were recommended by a runner friend, who said they have helped.

I wanted to go to yoga at 4:30 PM but my grown up banking took a little longer than expected. I am thinking of doing a Exercise TV tonight, but truthfully I am just exhausted. The weather is just terrible. It's windy, rainy and cold. Luckily I am going to Bonita Springs, Florida this weekend am determined to get a long run in the beautiful weather.

I honestly don't have too much to post today. I am a little sleepy and have a long list of things "to do" before my move. I packed quite a bit yesterday. My room is starting to look a bit empty. A new adventure is on the way!

This motivational quote might be just what I need to schedule my runs/ yoga in with all of this craziness going on around me!

Yoga Morning!

This was a YOGA morning. I spent 8:15-11:15 this morning at Yoga Shelter!  This weekend was packed of running around and trying to get things done, I didn't even have time to go to Yoga on Friday or Saturday. I wanted to make up for it today by trying two classes in one day. It was great! I went to Fusion and Xflowsion, two classes I really enjoy. I got the stretch in Fusion and cardio in Xflowsion. I thought I would be really tired and ready to get out of the second class, but I really enjoyed it and it went by fast. I felt even more flexible the second class than the first, and was really happy with the decision to do two yoga classes! I will probably have to double up a few more days if I want to finish the 10 remaining classes I have left, before my move.

After my class I went to the Gap and Ann Taylor Loft. I bought a pencil skirt from the Gap and a tan dress from Ann Taylor. They both were having sales, and both items I bought for around $20. I really have to watch my spending until I move, however I need professional clothes!

This is the white items I ended up with for my "black and white room". I took back a few things I mentioned I bought on the blog, but the items on the bed are:

• White sheets and pillow from Simply Vera by Vera Wang line at Kohls
• Two white shams from JC Penny
• White duvet cover and bedskirt from Target

I also bought a single black frame that will go over my bed with a 11x14 black and white picture. I don't know which one to put in it yet, to fit the "feel" of my room. I want it to be a picture I took. Here are a few I am thinking about: 

What do you think? (Hannah?)

April Showers

I missed Yoga this morning, because I decided to spend the morning with my mom eating pancakes and shopping for my new room! I had buckwheat pancakes, and they were delicious! I ate 2 pancakes and half a piece of bacon for breakfast. After we spent the day looking for different white pillows. I think I am going to have nightmares about pillows attacking me in my sleep. However we found some cute things, and after I have it figured out I will post.

There is a pet store at one of the malls we went to, and I had to go in. How cute is this baby? I wish I could have taken him home with me.

It's not warm out today but it's not freezing either. It started to rain a bit at the end, but it pushed me to get home because I didn't want to get wet. Maybe high 40s, but not sunny. I have to hurry and meet a friend in a little bit, but I managed to do a quick 5.5 mile run. I am so happy I went! I love when I debate to run or not to run, and I do run and love it! I walked a little bit of it in the beginning and end. I think I'm going to stop counting the walking, even though I said I would for marathon training because it doesn't give me a accurate pace. I need a new watch!!!!!! Also, I NEED TO DO MORE LONG RUNS!

I ran 5.5 miles in 54:03

I love the weekends!

Oh, so busy!

I love Friday nights. Especially when they are relaxing and productive! Today I didn't even have time for a workout. I was swamped! I went to the chiropractor after work, and to my surprise she doesn't think I should be doing some of the stretches that different runners have recommended. She said I should wait until my hip is back in place? I'm not sure, because I'm getting different opinions now from different professionals, but I think I will do my normal stretches and listen to her for a bit, because my hip hasn't felt 100% since it started hurting.

After the chiropractor I stopped to see the baby boy. It was so cute, I was holding him when he was sleeping and said "Why is my boy so sleepy?" and in the corner my other little cousin James said "I'm not sleepy, I'm just resting". I was talking about Peter (the baby), but James just figured he was my boy! They both are :)

I have furniture for my room in Orlando! I am buying it off the girl who lives in the room now, but is moving out soon. I went today to buy bedding, and went to Kohls and Marhsalls for deals. I ended up buying white 800 thread count Simply Vera by Vera Wang sheets and white decorate pillows, and a Ralph Lauren white fake down comforter from Marshall's. The furniture is black so I really want a white & black theme, but not obnoxious. I bought 3 decorative pillows, but it doesn't look right. I need more sizes/ or something. I'm not really sure the look I'm going for since I haven't even seen the furniture yet! The black and white pillows below I bought from Urban Outfitters a few years ago in college, but I'm kind of over them now. What looks better?

I have a busy weekend of packing/ financing/ and figuring out what exactly I need to accomplish the next few weeks. Let me just say this: It's a LOT!

I think Yoga all weekend might be in the works. I really need to fit a long run in as well- hopefully the weather cooperates. 

I'm calling it a night early on this Friday night, goodnight!