It's the small things in life that make me happy!

I'm so happy I can find joy in the small things!  Some may call me kooky or quirky but that makes me happy too so I'm ok with that.  Today's small things:



Making sure Toys for Tots had plenty of bikes to give away!



 



Dog in a box = hours of laughter!



Lots of colorful pens so that my work and to do lists aren't boring...

Pipe cleaners to give out to ppl that need something to do.. or kids that stop by

TootsiePops for anyone that has a meeting with me to complain about their boss this always helps!

And of course every time I have an awesome workout like last night.  Tonight is sprints in the gym!  What makes you happy?





What a difference a night makes (zzzzzz)

Ahhhh, got to bed early last night (9pm) tossed and turned for bout an hour but then once I finally fell asleep, wow, what an awesome night of sleep, beautiful sleep!!!    Last night I went to my soccer game thinking I'll sit out a lot cause of how I was feeling.  But everyone else was also tired and it was a TOUGH game so I ended playing a lot and doing extra running.  Second half we were short by 1 girl for 2 mins. as a penalty for her cussing but that team was playing rough so we gave it right back ;-)   I got 2 bruises and a swollen ankle and leg.  Full force close range ball to the thigh then a kick to the inside of my ankle that already has problems.  We lost our first game of the season and we had been in 1st place before this.  But hey we're still doing way better then last season.  All in all I felt good and I'm glad I played as much as I did even though I was exhausted! 

Today I feel so refreshed and not only am I caught up at work but ahead.  I am looking forward to an awesome plyometrics and weight lifting workout tonight!  The new Juanes CD came out today and excited to add it to my playlist!  On the menu tonight Vegetarian Posole, hoping if I make it extra spicy it will clear out the last of the congestion.  The new trick I'm going to attempt is cooking it in a pressure cooker so it will be done faster.  Only attempted using it once before for risotto but ended up burning it so let's hope this experiment turns out better.

Good and tired.

How do you people do it?  I mean keep a social life, manage the household and stay in tip top racing shape?  I will always be an average athlete and proud of it...  Over the years when I set my race goals I always meet my goals but never improve on them.  My over all goal is to keep racing local events to be able to associate with fellow athletes and to remain healthy, not to actually be competitive, because of weekends like this last one I realize my limitations. 

This weekend was fun filled yet exhausting and I'm DRAGGING at work today.  All I can think of is my nice comfy bed at home that I can't wait to crawl in to but I have a 7:30 pm soccer game I have to participate in and buy the last two items on my Christmas shopping list before that happens.  Sat/Sun I organized the house and especially my home office, finished putting decorations up, wrapped gifts, bought more gifts, cooked, got a surprise visit from a really good friend, went bowling, stayed out too late Sat. ran more errands, volunteered at Toys for Tots Sun. morning took a nap that threw my schedule off but boy did I enjoy it, ran 10 miles with my bf, did laundry and fell asleep in front of the TV Sun. night before prepping my lunch and gym bag for the next day.

Tomorrow I told my brother I'd help him go to pick up the last of his wood floors that finally came in, Wed. there is the Nutcracker that my bf wants to see and Fri. friends birthday dinner followed by a musical, anniversary on Sat.

Now to find time to fit in all my training, I'll have to do a few at lunch and a few late night workouts.  I know it is worth it in the end because I get to see the smiling faces of my friends and family.  But through all of this the last month or so I keep feeling like I'm fighting off a cold even if I stop to take some rest days.  Ok I will suck it up and go on my merry way!

On a roll...

It's kind of weird that while I'm being asked if I'm coming down with a cold I'm on this awesome workout streak!  I love getting on a roll like this I feel awesome!  Ok, so I may sound congested because I am, my ears are plugged, I have a bad sinus pressure headaches but when I get off work and hit the gym it all goes away.  Yesterday I did about 4 miles total: 1 mile treadmill warm up, 5 suicides on the basketball court 2 x high knees, butt kicks, skipping, thn was kicked outta there so went back to do 1 minute sprints on the treadmill x 5 followed by a 1 mile cool down.  The bf did maybe 1 mile of sprints on the treadmill then did the elliptical for 10 mins he seems to be having knee problems....

I think I have finally jumped on board with my training/healthy living plans.  I'm back to my normal self!  Today I'm going back for some more plyometrics as well as weight lifting.  Friday is going to be my day off followed by a 10 mile run on Sat.  The high temp on Sat. is supposed to be 45 so I will have some time to run errands in the morning while I let it warm up a lil.

Had the most awesome homemade salad for lunch today and came in about 450 calories with dressing and all.  Some of my favorite salad toppings are baby corn and avocado yum!  Sometimes I splurge and and get palm hearts or artichoke hearts. My favorite dressing is so simple: 1 tblsp olive oil, 1/2 lemon juice, 2 tblsp balsamic vinegar, crushed gralic clove and italian seasoning. 

On my mind...

I love blogging on my lunch breaks it gives me something to look forward to.  Not to mention the fact that if I did it from home in the evenings we only have the computer hooked up on the big screen and I don't like writing while someone is watching my every word, is that weird?  (I need a laptop!).  Last night's workout was awesome!!!  The only thing that was changed was instead of doing the mile run after I was doing sets of stairs in between sets of weights.  Stayed well below my calorie limits for the day in meals.  The trick I need to stick to is usually I would write down what I ate for dinner in my food log after the fact.  I find that if I log it before I eat it I have to think do I really need those extra calories?  Success!

Today is sprints but it is so cold outside I am going to do 1 mile warm up on the treadmill run sprints in the basketball court then cool down with another mile on the treadmill.  Goal for today is to walk the dog as soon as I get home from the gym I don't care how cold it is.  She is so much happier when I exercise her and I just have to remember how I feel on the days I don't get to exercise and I can't do that to her....   I'm feeling like I'm trying to fight off another cold but don't think I'll actually come down with anything.

Just got a txt from the bf informing me he was going out for some drinks with co workers on Fri.  I reminded him we have a long run on Sat.  Now what I need to remind myself is a) I am not in control of his training and b) he is not in control of my training.  I am going to have faith that he is going out for 1-2 drinks and will still make the Sat. run with me.  HOWEVER, if not I will not let this anger me or affect my own Sat long run I will do what I am scheduled to do with or without him.  Any takers on a bet?  When he started this training I told him most people run around a 4 1/2 hr first marathon with proper training.  He said he'd have that beat and place in his AG.  Then he says ok I won't place but I'll still finish in less than that.  Now it is becoming ok I'm definitely going to finish the marathon.  I hope he does but at this rate neither one of us is doing well in the training.  The difference is I have realized this and am taking owner ship of my shortcomings and catching back up.  We'll just have to wait and see....

My favorite shoes to run in are New Balance I love how they fit my narrow foot and it's an extra bonus that they carry lines made in the US sweatshop free!