Running with bling!

WE'RE ENGAGED!  

woo hoo! yay! let the planning begin! 

Running the Ramblin' Rose!

I haven't written in a while... and it all goes back to the same excuse as always: I am BUSY. It doesn't help that I got sick for a week and was unable to run, go to the gym, move... I worked from home, which consisted of several naps in between various doses of antibiotics/mucinex/tylenol/sore throat syrup and cough drops. Oh, and in that time, I still had to manage a golf tournament and go to class. I did have to skip out on a 5k last weekend though. It would have been my 9th for the year, but I woke up on Saturday and knew there was no way I was capable of running.

I had signed up for a 5-miler this weekend with a classmate, but my illness kept me from preparing. I haven't run 5-miles in who knows how long, I've done some 3-milers, and a couple 4, but not 5 in a long, long time. So today was a bit of a struggle, but I made it. Crossed the line in 48:03. Sprinting the last little bit and beating my friend (she was actually ahead of me for most of the race).

Usually after races longer than a 5k, I'm set on "never running anything that long again," but today, I came home looking for more races. I don't feel bad, even though it wasn't my best time, or effort, I am excited to run.

Today was my 9th race of the year, so I'm still on track for 12 races in 12 months. Signed up for #10 in November (the Color Run). Just have to find 2 more to do between now and December 31st and I'm all set. I've completed my first 8k this year, my first 4-miler and my first 5-miler. I'd like to do a 15k but it looks like most of those are in the midwest right now for some reason.

I'm motivated right now to be active. I joined 2 yoga studios... one because it's close to my house and one because they have really awesome classes. The one closest to my house doesn't offer "hot yoga" only warm, but it's still a good class. I've gotta get back in the swing of spinning and weights too. Worked out once this week and have had upper body pain for the rest of the week. Maybe I'm just getting old?

Running Summer into Fall

Holy Cow, it’s Fall! It’s Fall? Really? Already? Where did Summer go? I was definitely a busy bee this summer with work, consulting, two-summer grad school classes, two weddings for very special friends, several bachelorette parties and showers to accompany those weddings, baby showers for other friends, a new nephew, keeping up with my 12-in-12 plan for running races, and of course, my own summer travel + fun. Whew, now I remember where it went!

 

For my last week of Summer, I spent it with the best friends a girl could ask for celebrating one of the “maids” weddings. Lots of time was spent on hair, nails, make-up and of course, making sure the bride + groom had the best day of their lives. I even managed to run 9 miles in the time I was in Swansboro which was very satisfying. And.. the wedding… it was ah-ma-zing. Seriously,  it was better than perfect and I’m so happy that I got to be a part of the special day and share it with my incredible friends.

Then we went to the Outer Banks for a few extra days of R&R. Lots of driving but totally worth it once we arrived… this was the view for the week and my view on my morning runs. And me, running in Corolla. I’m pretty sure nothing beats an early morning run on the beach with a little mist blowing on you as you pound sand instead of pavement.

I had a few extra days off that I got to spend with my adorable nephew at a lake house that had an "endless" pool. So cool. And um, so adorable?
As we exited Summer, and entered Fall, we spent our first Fall weekend cheering on the Virginia Tech Hokies. I’ve always said there’s no better college football atmosphere than Lane Stadium but on Monday night, there couldn’t have been a better (albeit slightly stressful at times) atmosphere ANYWHERE. The Hokies pulled off the “W” and I was one happy little girl.  

Now onto Fall classes, major changes at work and cooler running weather. What’s your favorite part of Fall?

Running... again

I took an unplanned break from running... and blogging. Somehow my extremely busy school schedule managed to correlate with the busiest week at work yet. I had 30 pages of papers due + 2 presentations in a matter of 3 days, keeping up with consulting, as well as HUGE projects due at work with tight deadlines. I didn't stop running and blogging by choice, my life just did not allow time for it.

But now... I'm living again. I'm free of school (at least until September 4th), work has calmed down as much as possible, and I'm actually able to do all the things I love about life.

Like weeknight dinners + dates with my boyfriend. Yes, we live together and yes, we work in the same building but I swear from May-last week, it was like we didn't see each other. He was in bed by the time I got home from class, and he leaves in the mornings as I am coming downstairs for breakfast. But this week we've had amazing dinners every night, that we've helped each other cook. I love bonding over cooking and trying new things too (I let him look at recipes on Pinterest).

And after dinner, we've gone for runs together. Now, I know I complain about him not running as fast as me, but running together makes me so happy. I love having him by my side. Especially with this amazing whether we've been having. My dogs are pretty happy too with the fact that they have their exercising buddy back!

I am relaxed (although I could still use a massage) and literally have no worries about what I have to do after work or before class.. it's an amazing feeling. I could totally get used to this life!

Running... and what I actually look like.

So by now.... everyone has seen this photo floating around Facebook:

Well, this past week, I got photos from the last run that I did and I was able to create one of these for myself. Trust me, it's equally as amusing: 

The photographers for races must have a great time in the office on Mondays when they're reviewing all the shots. Seriously, 1/10 is a "good" race picture, the rest are hideous (as evidenced above).

Thought this was also an appropriate time for this picture since I'm clearly dressed out as a member of Team USA and the Olympics started this week.

Running.... in silence.

Sometimes I want my music blaring... sometimes I need Lady Gaga to push me through that extra half mile, sometimes.... but other times, I want to run in silence. I want to be alone with my thoughts. I want to escape whatever is happening in the world and just run.

Today, I wanted to work out without my iPod on, I just wanted to bust out a quick 20 minutes on the treadmill, 10 on the stair stepper and 15 minutes of abs/core. That was my plan...

Instead, I was preached at, and had gospel rap (if that's possible) screamed at me while I was attempting to have my peaceful morning workout. The entire gym was staring at this 30-something meathead who was at first pacing the cardio machines and preaching at us (I say at because he was yelling). Then he decided that the best way for him to get his message across would be to join me on the treadmill. I tried to block him out, listen to the music that the gym was playing, and get into my own zone but that was next-to-impossible. The girl on the opposite side of him went to complain to the guys at the front desk who politely asked him to keep it quiet.

Whew.... now I can work out in peace.

Wrong! He turns to me and starts yelling, asking why we are embarassed of God, why we are ashamed of God, why we don't want to hear about it.

My response was, "SHUT UP." Plain and simple, shut up. How incredibly rude to go to a place and disrupt what everyone else is doing. That is in no way going to get you a favorable response. He continued on and I finally explained that we are not embarassed of God, or ashamed, yet annoyed by him. Even after my comments telling him he was being disruptive, rude and annoying, and both people (including myself) leaving the treadmills on either side of him, he did not stop. He floated around the gym to the areas that were the most crowded and continued his ranting.

I believe in God. I was raised going to church every Sunday (like it or not). I am Christian. However, when I want to work out, I just want to work out.

Am I wrong here, people? Tell me your thoughts on merging Sunday Service with your interval session, kill two birds with one stone? Fact is... now I need another work out to de-stress from the first one.

Running thru July!

It's July? What? When did that happen and where has this year gone? I feel like it was just March a few weeks ago. I've been a busy bee with my new consulting gig, a full-time corporate marketing job and 2 summer grad school classes. My days start at 6 and end at 9:45 when I get home and crawl into bed. This will all be worth it in the end... that's my mantra right now anyway.

I don't have to tell anyone that July is HOT, but it's especially hot in the South and even more so than normal with that extreme heat wave we just had. My family in Virginia was without power for a few days and in 100+ degree temps. So completely miserable. Luckily, North Carolina missed the storm part of the heat wave, but we got all of the heat, including 3 days of 103 degrees. I tried running at 7 am and 7 pm and both were equally as hot and miserable.

I've shared my hatred for treadmills in the past, but I did have to use one last Friday when the heatwave began. It was too sticky in the afternoon to go for a run and I was babysitting the most adorable 1-month old nephew in the evening so I sucked it up and busted out a 5k in 24:31 on the machine. Unfortunately, this did not prepare me at all for my 4-miler on the 4th.

It was a "new" course according to Run For Your Life, but I've done parts of it in other 5ks and 8ks. There aren't a lot of hills, but they ones that are on the course are long hills, quad-killing hills. It was not my best time for a 4-miler, still under 10 minute miles and I said beforehand that I wasn't "racing" but using the run as my workout for the day. It was still disappointing that it was 4 minutes slower than my last 4 miler. Even though it started at 7:30, I was still a sweaty, sticky mess at the end. July races are not going to be my forte.

Planning for our August 5k, looks like it might be the NC Rock & Run at the Music Factory. Would be my first time for this race. Anyone done this before?

Running ... and dreaming!

"And then the dreams break into a million tiny pieces. The dream dies. Which leaves you with a choice: you can settle for reality, or you can go off like a fool, and dream another dream." - Nora Ephron

Running... and high hopes while hiking!

Wednesday was my 3-year anniversary with my boyfriend. However, I had class so there was no celebrating to be done on Wednesday. So yesterday, my boyfriend told me he had a day o' fun planned for us... starting with hiking at Crowders Mountain. And hiked we did.... 5.2 miles... 5.2 miles that make your ass sore kind of miles.

 We got all the way to the top and I was thinking to myself... THIS would be the perfect spot for a proposal. Sitting on top of the world, peaceful, together... but no. I won't drag it out because it's simple.. it didn't happen. Although, he was super sweet up there telling me how much he loves me and how great our 3 years together has been... still no ring.

All hope was not lost, because we had a delicious dinner reservation at The Fig Tree and that too, could be the perfect place for a proposal. Romantic dinner in a darling little house set in Elizabeth... we were dressed up so pictures would be amazing afterwards. So we had appetizers and salads and entrees and dessert and coffee (and some libations)... and the night was winding down. I was pretty sure when the check came that it wasn't going to happen there... and THEN...

He suggested we go for a walk in the park across the street. Meanwhile, my friends are texting me/blowing up my phone asking if anything exciting has happened. Of course I agreed to the walk in the park, which lasted all of 5 minutes before he suggested we go back home and watch a movie in bed.

There you have it folks, I'm still "single" by all legal definitions. I'm still just the forever, live-in girlfriend.  I still don't get to start planning my happily-ever-after because for all I know, it's never going to happen.

Maybe I should just start running... and see where it takes me.

Running...a trail run on accident!

I signed up for a 5k spontaneously.... as evidenced by the 30 minute drive from my house to its location. My boyfriend said he preferred to run it with me than to stand at the finish line, so he signed up as well. We got to the park where it was being held and I didn't see pavement anywhere... odd for a road race, I thought, but somehow still assumed that the run would be on asphalt. WRONG... dirt/gravel/sand was our terrain... along with some hills and a backside that had been washed out. My quads are screaming at me right now, wondering what the hell I was thinking running on trails for the first time in my minimalist shoes without training. Quite the surprise....

I finished 8/26 in my 20-29 age group, so not too bad, but my time was definitely not what I expected for this supposed "fast" 5k that I had signed up for. Oh well, live & learn. Now we know we CAN run trails but somehow still prefer the feel of asphalt and hardness under our feet. 

Now to go put Biofreeze on to get me through the day at work...."OMG - ouch my glutes." 

Running + birthdays + babies!

My nephew was born on May 30th. Perfect, happy & healthy and we are so thankful for this little bundle of joy. He's literally the cutest baby that I've ever seen (and I'm not just saying that because I'm biased).

My boyfriend's birthday was only a few days after the birth of the world's cutest baby, so we had to celebrate! We had a few dinners here in Charlotte (Fish Market (yum) & Boudreaux's (yum)) and this past weekend we traveled to Atlanta with his sister and her boyfriend for a weekend of southern goodness! 

We ate at Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint on Friday. Holy cow. I had fried chicken, mac & cheese and spinach. The BF won out with his fried pork chop. Seriously, like heaven in my mouth. Obviously, I needed a run after that meal, so Saturday morning we ran around Olympic Park before a day of walking through the Georgia Aquarium. I love that place. For my 24th birthday, he took me swimming with sharks at the aquarium. What an amazing experience. 

The best part of the trip was by far the Braves game on Saturday evening. We had 5th row seats right by the dugout. We (over)indulged in hotdogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, beer... and tequila shots while at the game. Again, I'm in serious need of a run. Feeling blah when my alarm went off this morning, I told myself I will run tonight. And not at ZX Fitness as they've yet to respond to my message on Friday. 

 I start my new consulting job today as a Social Media Strategist! What an awesome title! More to come on this because it was a total surprise that I got offered a position. And I'll leave you with a picture of the world's next heartbreaker:

Happy Monday!

Running... NOT at ZX Fitness.

I got off work early today as we are traveling to Atlanta to celebrate my boyfriend's 30th birthday. I thought I would allow time for myself to hit the gym before we get on the road... however, instead I've been dealing with this situation below. Here is my message to the gym.... after I spoke with billing for half an hour and then went in to speak with the manager without any resolve:


"I'm very disappointed with the level of service I have received from ZX Fitness. I have been a member for a while now and recently had my debit card number compromised. My bank deactivated the card and sent me a new one. I got an email from ZX saying I needed to update my billing information. I came in and did so, and was informed there was a $20 decline fee on there as well. I asked if that would be removed since it was not my choice to change the card number and was told that it would. I tried to contact the billing on 6/6 to be on hold for over 20 minutes. I went in the gym again on 6/7 and asked if there was any other way to go about this and was told no, I would have to call again but also assured that the $20 would not be charged to me. I spoke with billing today 6/8 and was informed that I had been charged the decline fee and there was nothing they could do. I went into the gym, hoping the situation could be rectified there since that it where I was first told I would not be charged the decline fee and that it would be waved. I was told there was nothing the manager or his manager could do unless i get written proof from my bank. 


I've brought in 3 additional members to this gym and have diligently paid my dues monthly. I'm highly disappointed in the run around and that I'm having to chase down an email from my bank to "prove" this - because obviously I would make up a story like this and then willingly come in and update my number. It makes no sense. 


I am considering canceling my account with ZX after this situation is rectified, as well as my boyfriend moving his account and my two friends that have joined with me. I will gladly pay cancellation fees for them as I do not want them to have to endure stressful and unnecessary situations such as this one... ever. 


You might want to make sure your front desk staff knows what they are talking about before you let them inform your members that fees will be waived. And what's the point of having a manager who has no authority to do anything? 


Highly disappointed in this company and my gym in particular." 


Needless to say, I did not get to run today. Hopefully Atlanta will provide some time for rest & relaxation!

Running & Memorial Day!

I had an incredibly active Memorial Day weekend - which included an extra day off work! Who doesn't LOVE a 3-day weekend?

My fun really started on Wednesday, when we saw Dave Matthews Band at Verizon. What an awesome set list! We heard so many songs that we hadn't before and he played some of his new ones. Seriously an amazing show. Totally worth being tired and slightly hungover at work on Thursday.

Thursday, we went to the Charlotte Knights game with some folks from work. I really have some awesome girls that I used to work with (BF still works with them). So glad that we've stayed in touch and I get to spend some QT with them outside of the office.

Friday, I decided to run when I got home, went for a 3-miler but it was so hot (87 degrees) that I had to stop & walk three or four times. I still finished in 28 minutes, so I was proud that I was able to make up for the time that I walked. I also took my dogs for a mile long walk after that. Then we had an AMAZING dinner (shrimp & grits!) at The Fish Market in Baxter Village. Yum! Should be on everyone's restaurant bucket list!

Saturday, I took the dogs for another long spin and spent most of the day outside soaking up the sun (with sunscreen on of course!). We went to NoDa Brewery for some afternoon beverages and had the chance to taste Maki Taco Truck's tacos. Basically like heaven in your mouth. Seriously, the freshness and deliciousness combined was enough to give you a stroke (in a good way!)

Sunday, we took the dogs to Lake Wylie for a little morning hike before the temps got too high and then we went to Mac's Speedshop. This was really our weekend of good food and good beer. I needed a high-intensity workout after so many days of beers and big meals, so I hit the gym. I was doing intervals on the treadmill. Finished a 5k in 24:43 - pretty proud! My PR is 24 even. We ended up at the White Water Center afterwards for some music. Our friends had told us to check out the Black Lillies, so we stopped by for a beer and some jams.

Today, I did Body Pump to start the day and then took the dogs for a little over a mile long walk. My legs are begging for BioFreeze today. Seriously, so much pain. I'm a little nervous about how I will be able to walk tomorrow... should be interesting. But totally worth it because we just had a week that should go down in the record books. Loving life. And best of all... I'm going to be an auntie this week. Damon is due on Wednesday.... we'll be *patiently* awaiting his arrival until then! 

Running... Georgia

We just spent a week in gorgeous Jekyll Island, Georgia. If you haven't been, you should go... it's so serene and peaceful there. It's tucked away from traffic and tourists, live oak covered roads and sand dollar covered beaches, wild horses roaming at Cumberland Island which is just 45 minutes away, I mean, seriously, it's THE perfect getaway. Here are a gazillion pictures to prove it's beauty just in case you don't believe me..

My view on my morning runs

Every morning I went running and walking on the spectacular beaches. Now, I did have to wait until 8:30 or so because of high tide  (it was REALLY high) but when it receded, the beach was a treasure trove. We found dozens of sand dollars (only keeping the dead ones) and conch shells, and jelly fish and horseshoe crabs and fiddler crabs and rainbow colored seashells. It was such a gorgeous site.

On Wednesday, we went to Cumberland Island, which you have to take a ferry to, and it's basically an all day walking adventure. We took a picnic basket with us and enjoyed sitting on the beach and watching dolphins play. We saw dolphins EVERY DAY of our trip! Cumberland has wild horses, crabs that scamper right in front of your feet and majestic maritime forests.

If you can't tell, I'm head-over-heels in love with this place. It was vacation and I was up at 6 am ready to go every day. We spent one day riding bikes on the paved trails that go all the way around the island. We took a dolphin seeing boat ride one day (or attempted to, we had to turn back because of a storm), we saw deer and a bobcat one evening and on our last day, we watched a sea turtle being released back into the wild.

So, also on our last day, we did the Turtle Crawl 5k. The funds went to support the Sea Turtle Center (which is who released the rehabilitated turtle back into the ocean). It was an amazing, fast, flat course. Some of the turns were a little tight, especially when we had to turn around and come back, passing runners on a sidewalk was tough, but the entire time you could see the beach, which made it alright. AND, best of all, I PLACED in the race! 3rd.... probably would have been 2nd if I hadn't stopped to go to the bathroom 3 minutes in, but I literally did not think I could hold it for 3.1 miles. It was the perfect end to the perfect vacation. I highly recommend any and every active person make this trip at least once in your life. There are a million things to do while getting away from the rest of the world. 

*side note: I have now completed my 5th & 6th races of the year. I did the Run Wild 5k on 5/12 (placed 5th in my age group, 95th overall) and of course, the Turtle Crawl 5k on 5/19 and placed 3rd in my age group with a time of 26:19.

Running... for the past 4 years.

4 years ago today, I said goodbye to my boyfriend, bought my first car, said goodbye to my family, packed my new car full of all of the belongings I had as a 22-year old and moved to Charlotte.

Best move of my life. Rough at first. I didn't have friends in Charlotte. I didn't have my routine of working out, class, working at the gym anymore. My whole world was flipped upside down. But the world always seems to right itself.

I L-O-V-E North Carolina. I love being a Carolina girl. I love calling North Carolina home. I love being closer to the beach. I love Uptown, and the Whitewater Center and the parks that I can run in. I love my 2.5 mile loop around my house. I love running in North Carolina.  So 4 years since a really hard move, I've finally found where I belong.

Running... with friends.

Last night was graduation for folks in my Masters program. Next year it will be my turn. It's got me thinking about the last time I graduated and all of the huge changes that followed. I graduated May 3rd and moved to Charlotte on May 8th, started my first big-girl job on May 9th.

I left behind most of my family, all of my friends, and my boyfriend at the time. I also left behind the comfort of the small town, the school that I had wandered around for the past 3 years, and memories made at our favorite bar that was just 2 blocks away. It was a big change. And I was reeling from it for a long time. I didn't give my new city much of a chance and went home every weekend or at least every other. I was lost without my circle of friends. And then the break up came in July 2008. That's when I turned to running.

I ran before that, but, without someone to spend the weekends with, or talk to at night, I had more time. I was doing a couple miles before work in the morning and then 6-7 more miles when I got off. I was eating healthier than ever, with oatmeal for breakfast, a banana at 10 A.M., a turkey wrap for lunch, and an apple at 2 PM. I rarely ate out (mostly because I was scared I'd get lost). I don't know whether to count that as a high time or low time in my life. But I do welcome change...

I've now been in Charlotte for almost 4 years (crazy!) and finally have friends. I've been hanging out with some girls from my old office, and the wives of my now boyfriend's friends, and I've made new friends in my Masters program. It's nice, but different. They can't replace my friends from college, but they are my now friends. I really only talk to a few of my "college friends" - you know those people that you thought would be there forever? They're not. Same with high school. You drift as you get on different paths in life. I still have my 5 best friends, three I met in high school, two in college. Those are my one-day bridesmaids.

I have been in my new job for 6 months as of today, and around this time next year, I will be walking across the stage getting my 2nd diploma. I'm excited to see what changes the next year brings in my life.

Running... beaches, Florida and TSA!

I went to see my BFF + College Roomie in West Palm Beach this past weekend and wouldn't ya know it, it was grey skies and gloomy weather the WHOLE time. Literally, it actually poured down rain on my last 2 days. Bummer, but we made the best of it and relieved some of our fun college days:

tower of beer

Soul Bowl

I didn't get a lot of beach time (read: any) but I did get to check out West Palm and Sunny Isles beaches. Both of which were gorgeous. I also didn't get to run on either of these guys, my work outs were limited to the gym in Sarah & John's condo. I'm still feeling the one I had on Saturday morning though, so it must have been good, right? "Pain is weakness leaving the body." 

Now, I am a beach girl, at heart. Swansboro, NC to be exact on where I left my heart. It's been my "home" since I was 15 and I get a serious lead foot when I see signs for the town. Almost home. Something about that place is just so perfect and Southern lovely, that I have an obsession. Doesn't hurt that one of my best friends lives there. The beach is my fun place, my getaway place, my rest & relaxation place, my 100%, absolute FAVORITE place on earth. There are some others that I love too: Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, Folly Beach in Charleston, the beach on Coronado Island in San Diego, OBX... the list goes on. And soon to be added to it is Jekyll Island, Georgia when we go for a week later this month (holy cow, it's MAY!). I love, love, LOVE beaches and I love finding races when we travel so that we can explore the beaches and get a real feel for them. We did the Battleship 5k in Wilmington, the Mullet Run in Swansboro, and we're doing the Turtle Crawl 5k in Jekyll on May 19th (5th Race of the year!) 

As for TSA... they are my least favorite part of traveling. I think this is why I love road trips so much. Packing, unpacking, rushing through airports that are overcrowded and understaffed... not fun. So the TSA lady in WPB was awful as I was trying to get to my departing flight. My 1.5 ounce bottle of shampoo had fallen out of my zip lock baggie and was in my carry on... along with my dry (not liquid) spray sunscreen. I had an inkling of a feeling that she wouldn't let me take that through, but I figured I should try anyway. She started yelling at me about taking shampoo in my bag, obviously it fell out, which I politely explained. Then she told me I couldn't take the sunscreen and she promptly tossed both in the trash. I asked her for the shampoo back - which I didn't really need but she was just so rude! She asked if I really wanted her to dig around in the trash... "yes." 

Best part, I had 2 razors in my make-up bag, but clearly, sunscreen is much more dangerous. Heaven forbid I protect someone from the sun instead of using a razor on them. I'd much rather be sprayed with sunscreen than cut up on a plane. Makes no sense, but I made it through the security check point and back to NC safe & sound.