Run.Chew.Sparkle

So this week has been exhausting! But I finally got a run in last night! I got home from work, put on my shoes and out the door I went. It was a good two miles, went fast at times, pushed it, wanted to do 3 but it started to rain and well I just was not having that. My legs finally felt free and moving. Had some pain in my upper calf but other than that I would say I am back to normal. I texted my friend to let her know I could indeed run this morning before work. I didn't have to be in until 9, so getting out there at 7 would be okay. As much as I would have loved to slept in and believe me I did, I cursed myself. I am so glad I got out there this morning and ran. We did about 2.5 miles, just around our block. A little bit of a slower pace than I normally do, but it felt great, just the way I wanted to start my Friday. A nice easy, beautiful morning run with a great friend. We haven't been able to run together in so long because of work and school, so it's nice t...

Okay so this week has been all over the place. I feel like I say that often lol. But this week, with the weekend being pretty freaking epic, the start of this week has been crazy. Okay so Sunday was the half marathon and Monday I took the day off from work. All I did on Monday was just relax, literally, I laid around and did laundry, all day long. It felt great and was very well needed. My legs were killing me and very sore. Yesterday, I went back to work and decided to not push the running or working out. Since, normally after I run at least one 13.1 mileage I always take one to two days off from running, just to get my muscles and mind frame back. So I took Tuesday off from running and ended up working longer at work and being on my feet all day. I also weighed in at Weight Watchers and as much as I would love to say I lost all this weight because of running 25.5 miles, it is big old wrong!! Yup I gained. I didn't look at how much I gained, all she said was I gained and I a...

I love cooking when it is quick and easy. I am all about convenience and one that results in lots of leftovers for lunches or another dinner. Plus, I love my crock pot, its like my own personal chef. Just throw whatever you want in there and it does the rest. Since I am feeling a little bit tired today, I knew I didn't want to throw a huge meal together. I have made this recipe numerous times because it is so quick and easy. I had originally found it on Pinterest. Three ingredients, 5-6 hours of cook time and how you eat or prepare it is all up to you. 4-5 frozen or defrosted Chicken Breasts 1 can of Crushed Pineapple in its own fruit juice 1 bottle of BBQ sauce, any flavor works well, I chose to use Honey Mustard this time around Spray your crock pot with some Pam cooking spray or use one of those amazingly awesome Crock Pot liners. Put chicken in and dump in the rest right on top. I drained the can of pineapple a bit and then dumped it in and dumped the bottle of BBQ ...

Yesterday was a pretty exciting, exhausting and emotional day for me... It was the final day of the two part Challenge I was competing and it was 13.1 miles standing in the way of me. I woke up at 3:00 am. Yeah I wasn't too thrilled about it either, considering I could not fall asleep at all the night before because I was wired and restless from the day of running that day. I got up and got ready and like the day before just treated it as if I was going for a long run, a long run with a couple thousand other strangers, but I mean I am not one for logistics. James is a pretty awesome person and decided he wanted to be there to witness me complete this big accomplishment and got up at 4 and came over with me. I was so thrilled and excited to have him with me. He made my nerves go away and had me laughing and feeling awesome before the run. My stomach was in knots and I was trying really hard to not concentrate on how my legs were feeling. Believe me they were tired a...

I am a BzzAgent and I received for a free a bottle of Tone Body Wash in Pink Peony and Rose Oil as a recent campaign. I love body wash and I find that it can be the best part of a shower is the smell of your body wash. I normally purchase all my body washes from Bath and Body Works during their big semi annual sales because I can get a ton of scents for less money and usually all their older scents. But sometimes it can get too expensive. I also will branch out and purchase from CVS their brand because of a sale they are having or a coupon I have. Currently I have about 10 different body washes in my bathroom, sleepy time kinds, energizing, holiday, seasonal and ones for James also. So when I received my Bzzkit for the Tone campaign, I could not wait to try a new body wash. I received their new scent Pink Peony with Rose Oil. Well honestly I was at first disappointed, I am not a huge flower person and do not enjoy the scent of flowers. I am more a food, warm, comfort type of ...

I FINISHED AND COMPLETED THE MICHELOB ULTRA AMBER CHALLENGE!!!! WOOHOO!!!! I'm so sore, exhausted and my emotions are all over the place, but I finished what I started and I couldn't be more proud and happy for myself. I'll post more on Day 2 and how the half marathon went tomorrow, I am exhausted right now.. But here I am with my 4 medals...

Okay it is 3:43 in the morning, I am dressed and already have eaten my waffles and PB2, I can hear people outside our apartment, still up partying and I am sitting here ready to run 13.1 miles. Who the heck am I??? In my crazy sane mind, this is normal to me. I feel awake and ready to go. My body is definitely sore and a little mad at me, usually after a long run, I am taking full advantage of a rest day and would be sleeping right now, but I am not. I am ready to rock out this half marathon. Yesterday was easy, 12.44 miles. Today is 13.1 after those 12.44 miles. This is one of the toughest things I have done yet. I know my legs are going to get even more sore, I am going be a little bit slower. But my mind and heart, well we are in this to finish this. I found this on another blog this morning and this did it for me... This got me pumped, it got me emotional and it got me ready to go. I am sure you have seen it before, maybe it wont do something for you right now, but I am s...

What I wore... I love my girly Pirate Headband hehe... I finished and completed Day 1 of the Gasparilla Distance Classic Ultra Amber Challenge. As stated before day 1 was first the 15k and then right after the 5k. The morning started off good. I got to Tampa with little to no traffic and found the first parking garage and then the fun began. In our booklet  they said you can pay with cash or credit, well I didn't bring any cash because I never have it on me, so I figured I was good. WRONG! Apparently, that during events like this they will not take credit, so the lady was oh so sweet, insert sarcasm now, and would not let me pay after, but had to turn me around so I could go to an ATM. I was pissed, but knew I did indeed have plenty of time before the start began. As I was trying to find an ATM, I ended up finding street parking and saved 7.00! So take that mean parking garage lady. Where I parked was a bit of a distance away but it gave me time to warm up ...

Good Morning!!!! It is super early and when my alarm went off at 4:00, I almost forgot what today was. I was in such a good, deep sleep, I was wondering what was really going on haha. But then I hopped out of bed, ready to go. My morning routine for a race is pretty easy and simple. I always shower the night before, because I am going to get sweaty anyway, no reason to shower now. I never wear make-up, no point. I get dressed. Toast my waffles and enjoy with PB2. I get up early, so I can a couple of moments like this before I have to leave. Just so I can collect my thoughts, enjoy the quite and think and prepare myself. I take my vitamins and grab a banana for the road with my Powerbar Energy Blend to have before hand. Everything I am taking with me is packed and ready to go. I treat these days just like I would treat training runs. I don't add anymore pressure, etc. Because today and tomorrow are just about running. I am doing these races, not for the bragging rights o...

I was in the mood yesterday to mix some goodies up, but we have literally nothing in our house. I seriously have to go grocery shopping. But on my Pinterest I seriously have tons of protein balls or protein cookie recipes. I took a mixture of each of them and made my own with what I had. Almond Joy Protein Balls 1 cup of creamy, Almond Butter 3 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips 2 tablespoons of shredded coconut 1 cup of uncooked, Old Fashioned Oats 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder ( I used EAS 15 Toned & Lean) 2 drops of coconut extract Mix all together and form in 14 balls. And put in the fridge to form. I left them in there for about an hour. I could probably make them smaller and get 28 out of them. 14 of them come out to 4pp per cookie. A little higher than I wanted, but for experimenting, I was very happy with the turn out. James loved them also. He even went back for seconds.

I love this Expo because there are so many awesome vendors that show up. From shoes, to shirts, to gadgets, to food samples and just fun giveaways. I had a blast today at the expo and I took my time just going up and down every aisle looking at everything. There were some awesome samples, like a protein ice cream, orange juice, Pretzel crisps, some BBQ, Detour sample bars, and Crystal Light flavor juices. I made sure to pick up everything I could. I purchased some items too. I got two pirate headbands to match with what I am wearing this weekend, a Brooks Run Happy hat (so happy about that), a runner girl magnet for my car too. I couldn't find the the medal hanger, which I am bummed about, I am going to try to find a good one online. Waiting in line for my challenge pick packet and my bib # and my jacket that comes with my registration, which I absolutely LOVE!!! So well worth it all, I had already received my shirts when I registered. Size small also!! I c...

This couldn't be more true to me!!! I was not a runner as a child, teenage or early adulthood. I hated running. I would complain and complain when it came to the mile requirements at school. Running for me was not an option. And then well I changed my life... I was not born a runner, but I was made into a runner... I am a runner through and through.. I may not look like a runner, and I sure as heck do not look like the girl in this picture, but I am a runner, I made myself into one. I found this picture because I am so darn pumped for this weekend of running. I am off the whole weekend of work, which I need so badly, and I am spending my whole weekend running. 3 races, 2 days, 4 medals. Headed to the expo now to pick up the packet and bib. Beware I am sure I will be posting a lot this weekend..

I know I canceled the Tuesday weigh in because I was in Orlando and couldn't get to my regular one, but we had gotten back early on Wednesday, so to keep with routine and my sanity, I went and weighed in. I was not expecting anything because we were out of our element for the weekend and the day yesterday. And I don't know what was going on but I was starving! I mean I could eat anything and everything in sight. I was making the best choices possible, but I can tell my stomach is starving a lot. It is so hard to find a really good rhythm and way to figuring out what works best for you. I have a lot of running coming up this weekend and I am eating a lot more than I normally do, but I know I need too, to keep my energy up and moving, if I want to succeed. So I am listening and feeling my hungry and eating more, which you know what is working well for me. To my very much surprise, I lost .6! Not a whole lot of a loss like I was hoping, but if that isn't exciting enough ...

We had an absolute blast with our friends on Tuesday. It was so nice to have a day off with everyone and do something different and just hang out. After breakfast we did a little shopping. Of course it was a gorgeous Florida day, we haven't had too many lately because the weather has been chilly, but its back and it was perfect. I had forgotten my bathing suit and shorts and such, so I had to got to Target and pick up some, I know twist my arm. I picked up an awesome shirt too... Then we just hung out at their hotel, which had a heated pool and of course not a cloud in the sky.. After a couple of hours, we were ready to head back to our place and unwind some more and get ready for the evening. James and I both took a nap and then showered and dressed.. We are pretty cute if I do say so myself.. Downtown Disney was pretty close to where we were all staying which was nice, but of course we found a way to get lost. But once we got there it was a g...