Rest Day, Sick Day

I caught a cold, aka my version of the plague after my trip to PA. I find it interesting that whenever I am sick is when I want to work out which of course is not wise so I pin an incredible amount of motivational pins. My training plan for when I get better is to:

Wednesday: Yoga for 30 minutes

Thursday: Walk 2 miles 

Friday: Yoga for 30 minutes

Saturday: Ellipctical: 45 minutes

Sunday: Run 6 miles

I am excited to add more yoga into my training because of the wonderful benefits... :)

Weight Watchers Update: the Classic Slip up

I had been doing really well on WW... I had lost almost 6 pounds which was a healthy loss and then when I had felt the success I began to eat more thinking well my extra points plus could be used but than it became an every day occurrence. I was over and a few days I had ate things that I knew I shouldn't eat (molten lava cake!) 

I had been going to meetings on Saturday mornings but wasn't really connecting to the group/leader so I stopped going which was one reason I started to slip up. 

So last Wednesday, I went with Hay who has lost 72 pounds and her sister Whit who is down to her weight before her pregnancy! Omgosh! Amazing! 

Their leader,was amazing! She was personable and very genuine about weight loss...unfortunately, she only does one meeting a week and I normally work my second job so she suggested going to a different meeting location which I am going to start this weekend. 

My mom who has been a lifetime member decided we would start texting each other how many points we used that day which I feel will be very helpful and will keep me honest about obtaining my goals. I want to lose: 47 pounds and I know I can use weight watchers to get there...I just have to make the lifestyle changes so that I can treat myself with more respect... I hope that my blog will help me along the way!

Goal weight photo: last time I was close to goal weight was 2006.

<3

Escaping the City Life: Road Trip to Lancaster County

My parents really wanted to meet Phil so we decided to meet half way between Maine and North Carolina which conveniently was Lancaster County, PA. I had only driven through there once on an adventure with my Dad to look at graduate schools so I was excited to be able to see quite a bit of how the Amish and Menonite people live their lives. 

Phil and I took off Friday and thankfully didn't hit any traffic on the way up. It was about 7 hour drive. We took a roundabout way around D.C. to remove a lot of traffic out of the way. The drive up was extremely scenes for how many miles we spent on the highway. 

When we got to the town we were staying at: New Holland we couldn't check ion the Bed and Breakfast yet so we walked in their small downtown area to find Phil a belt since he had forgotten his. We were starving so we decided to look aimlessly for food when we stumbled across a sign that read: Chili Dogs: 2 for $5. It may have been the hunger settling in but we went I and ate lunch which was delicious. The place didn't even have a name on the outside but the food was a great find. When we walked out of the no name restaurant, I saw my first buggy and just stared as it went by. No wonder why these people don't like their pictures taken. It was amazing to me to see a horse drawn carriage on a regular road.

Phil and I found a belt at a thrift store and just a few minutes later met my parents at the Bed and Breakfast. We still couldn't check in so we went to the Farmer's Market at Bird-In-Hand which had beautiful custom made furniture and delicious smelling foods. So grateful, that I had just ate. 

After searching through the knick knacks of Lancaster, we decided to check out a local brewery (Rumpsringa) and winery which was the perfect activity. Phil and I split a sampler and I drank a few samplers for my Dad which was convenient since we have the opposite taste in beers. He prefers stouts and I prefer lagers and unfiltered beers. 

So grateful, that I didn't have to drink these by myself! The beers were very good and out of the two breweries we tasted that weekend this one was my favorite. 

After we had beer, we decided to try a pretzel which Lancaster County is famous for. The pretzels from Immergut were amazing! If you go there, this would definitely be a must stop.

The next day, we drove around the city of Lancaster attempting to find more pretzels and then proceeded onto our second brewery which was Lancaster Brewing Company. I split the sampler with my Dad and this one had 12 samplers. Wow...I love samplers but that was a lot of sampling!

After the tasting, we went in search of ice cream (my dad loves ice cream) and we found a local Menonite family who sold ice cream from their farm. The ice cream was pretty good but the flavor in my raspberry didn't come out as strong as I would've liked. The farm had cows and cats hanging out. Clearly the cats had plenty of visitors, because whoever had ice cream left they would be near. We pet some cows and held the kitties which made this stop especially memorable.

Afterwards, we decided to try more pretzels but ended up at Immergut again. Seriously, great pretzels!

The B&B we stayed at: The Richmond House was fantastic! The meals Delores prepared were out of this world and I would have definitely loved if she could have cooked us more meals since the dining out was alright. The couple who ran the B&B were friendly and asked a million questions about the Amish people since my mom and I were so fascinated about their lifestyle. Being from the country, it was amazing to me what luxuries Waterboro, Me had compared to Lancaster. Almost everything, closed by 5 pm even on a Saturday and nothing was open on Sundays including some restaurants. 

On Sunday, after the delicious breakfast we said our goodbyes to my parents and were off to head back to North Carolina. We stopped at a pumpkin patch and picked up pumpkins and apple cider in Maryland. There were apple trees but evidentially you aren't allowed to pick your own which was slightly disappointing but the rest of the shop was fun to look through as a short break in our long drive back.

This was Phil and I's first road trip together and I felt like it was a huge success...we didn't kill each other, I kept my back seat driving to a minimal, and we got to talk about a lot of things that we haven't learned about each other yet. Success! :) 

Bull City Road Fest: 5 Miler

I had originally planned on running the half marathon for this race but was relieved to be able to drop down to a 5 mile option which was significantly more realistic for me considering that I hadn't completed a long run past 7 miles in a few months. 

The day before the race I was nervous with excitement because this was the first time I was going to run for a running partner. 

I laid out all of my race belongings the night before to relieve a little bit of stress and decided to run in one of my old tennis dresses with leggings underneath which actually was really comfortable.

The morning of the race, Phil graciously woke up with me and took me to Kroger because I didn't have any pins for my bib and then we found a very convenient parking spot and heading down to the race site. There was over 5800 people running and this was the first race with this name which made the race quite chaotic at first. I was slightly confused on why both the 5 milers and half marathoners were starting at the same time. Phil and I found a spot to hang out while we waited for the event to start and tried not to be squished by other people.

Meredith found us and I wished her well this was her first half marathon and she had been training so well so I knew she would do great. I told Phil to meet me at the finish line about 1 hours 15 minutes was my estimated time.

When the race finally started I was so cold that I just starting running not realizing I was with the 10:30 min/mile pace which is significantly faster than my actual running so I slowed down making sure I had a calm upper body (Coach Jefferies words of advice in my head). My first 2 miles were great. I was feeling really good about my finishing time and so proud of myself for not stopping at all. I usually walk at least one to two minutes of a mile so I was excited to see myself push for that longer distance.

At the second mill there was a large hill. All of the hills so far I was able to run up except for this one. I saw it and it just made me want to stop and walk which in retrospect I am sure I could have pushed myself a little harder but I saw it and said no way. I knew that Durham was going to be hilly but that one was slightly unexpected. After walking for a short time up the hill, I began running again when someone saw my legs (I run 4) and noted that they ran for someone as well. This pushed me to run the rest of the mile. At mile 4, I was beaming. I knew I was only a mile away from the finish and knew that I must be making quite good time considering I had ran the majority of the race. 

I notoriously don't examine race courses which is where I hit a wall because at the 4th mile I passed Ninth Street which is where Phil and I love to dine out and suddenly I began to think... 

How can I be crossing Ninth Street when I am supposed to be finishing at American Tobacco which is a 15 minute drive from here with 1 mile left?

Then, I thought...did I get myself on the half marathon course somehow? Which made me extremely nervous... My confusion/terror of maybe having complete 9 more miles exhausted me...turns out the 5 mile course ended at a completely different location. If only, I had read the 1,000's of emails they sent me.

As I realized that I was on course I was close to the finish and pushed myself to finish 5 minutes earlier than I had expected!

At the finish, I received my medal and than grabbed some water and pretzels. I hadn't ate breakfast since it was only a 5 miler but looking back something small would have been much better for energy on the 3rd/4th mile. I told Phil to meet me at what I thought was my finish line so I quickly looked for him and began my mile walk back to the start. I didn't have my cell phone on me so I was quite relieved when I found him in the crowd. 

I feel like every race I learn something different or sometimes I learn a lesson all over again. This was the first race I ever completed without headphones and I have to say I thought I would be bored but I really enjoyed seeing everyone and the race course a little differently. I definitely will look at course maps and make a designated meeting spot in case something happens again. I was really excited to know Phil was going to be at the finish line and even though he wasn't at the actual finish line it definitely feels great to know someone came out to support me. :)

TGIF

The past few Fridays, I have been grilling out with Hay and Phil and relaxing with Hay's ever so handsome brown lab mix. It has been great to see my bestie and my boyfriend just laugh and enjoy watching Project Runway (sorry, Phil) together. It's definitely a great way to begin the weekend and share stories from the week. We even get to make Ross howl at the intro to Law & Order which I can watch a million times and it is still funny. :)

Dreaming of Disney 2014

Rec

Recently I have had one thing on my mind: Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. I want to go back and run again. Last year, I ran with my cousin and it was a great time but I had walked too many days at Disney before the race which started at 10pm... So, the night of the race I was exhausted and made a run/walk of the race but I definitely really want to try for next year. I will begin saving my pennies right now. This is an expensive race but the entertainment along the way was a blast. Definitely hope to have people accompany me through the race so that it is more fun.

Saving pennies begins now!

Weight Watchers Update

One of my favorite quotes that I need to remember more often.

I am on week 6 of weight watchers. Last week, I had an epic meltdown on Wednesday. Not an emotional meltdown but I was just sick of tracking and instead if using my awesome resources of Hayleigh and my mom... I ordered...pizza hut. 27 points later I of course felt awful both emotionally and physically. I had spent an entire days worth of points in an evening. Was it worth it? Nope. I know that I emotionally eat and this was a random occurrence where I wasn't emotional but I hadn't planned my meal which is really where a lot of success is with weight watchers. I am a super planner with everything but meals... That is my goal this week is to stick to what I say I am eating. 

When I went to weigh in this week I was almost positive that I would have at least a pound of weight gain but I had lost 0.8 lbs putting my total weight loss at -5.8. Woot! I am curious now to see what I could have had if I hadn't caved for pizza. Next week, I will have to see. :)

Anyone have success with different diet plans or lifestyle changes?

Training this Week

Monday: Running in the evening: will be my first dedicated run. Yay!

Tuesday: Elliptical workout

Wednesday: Running with Adam in the evening

Thursday: Running in the morning.

Friday: optional day/no plans quite yet.

Saturday: Rest day. 

Sunday: 5 mile race at Bull City Race Fest. Meredith will be there and I am sure a few more runnerpeeps. :)

Book Review: My Horizontal Life

This book was hilarious! It was certainly a rated R book so if you don't like the title it definitely isn't a read for you. This book had me laughing out loud and unfortunately I was traveling in a plane trying to stifle my laughs from the funny recaps from Chelsea Handler of her past life. She is hilarious and I don't know if she made up all of the stories because some of them are too funny to be true but if they are she has lived a very funny and exciting life. Definitely an interesting read. 

Anyone reading anything interesting? 

I Run 4:

I finally have been matched through I run 4 which is an organization where you can be matched with someone who cannot run and dedicate your miles to them. I have been waiting to be matched since August 26th and today I received an email that I am matched with Bain. I am so excited to dedicate my miles to him and push myself harder as a runner for all who cannot run.

I am reminded through this organization of the amazing gifts that we all have to offer and I am so grateful that this organization connects wonderful people together. 

-Much love. 

Teaching Blog

I have created and updated a blog that features what is going on in my classroom. If you are interested and want to check it out.... Here is the link:

www.riversideocs.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

The Best Pizza in Town

I have found the best pizza place in Durham. Pizzeria Toro is amazing! This place is packed and you have to sit right next to strangers... not for space conscious people... and you may come out of this place with a slight hearing impairment due to all the noise. After leaving the restaurant, Phil had to tell me to stop yelling since we had our whole dinner conversation through yelling and I hadn't noticed that I was still yelling when we left. :) 

But, it is worth it. The pizza is fired cooked in front of you and has the perfect balance of crisp and soft. The sauce was clearly homemade and the fresh mozzarella was delicious. I used some hot oil to spice up the pizza but honestly the pizza by itself was so good that I stopped using the oil and just focused on enjoying the pizza. Definitely worth a shot!

Appetizer: Crostini with fresh mozzarella: delicious but the pizza is better.

And, the pizza: it was delicious! Yummy.

Abundance

Over the past two years, I have read a lot of Wayne Dyer books. If you haven't heard of him he is definitely worth a few hours of your time. My favorite book of his is, "Power of Intention."

I was extremely moved by the book "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle which I first read when I had very few friends nearby and was living on my own. Eckhart Tolle was what introduced me to Dr. Dyer. Since, reading Tolle and many of Dr. Dyer's books I have noticed amazing people come into my life and a more effective way of living my life: presently. 

Since reading his books, I have stopped worrying about money. I know, right. I have a budget and I know what is my bank account but I used to incessantly worry about money and his books taught me that if I worry about things to excess than I never will believe that they will come to me and since then I have had coincidences or marvelisms where I will receive exactly what I need versus me stressing about something that I don't have.

I find Dyer's books to be extremely on point and if you practice what he is saying you certainly will feel the abundance of the Universe. I know it sounds a little weird or maybe incredibly weird but if you are feeling down, or stressed out and you just looking for something new to read his books have helped shape me to become the person I am today and I am truly blessed for that.  

Random Happenings

Some random photos from the past few weeks. I promise I didn't eat as much ice cream as the pictures show in one week... :) 

Phil and I went to the Farmer's Market this past Saturday. He decided he was going to eat an entire loaf of bread... It didn't work out so well for him or the bread. Way too many carbs!

I decided to try Italian Ice which was a deliciously good idea. I had orange and coconut which were all made with no artificial sugars. 

This is one of my favorite places to go for frozen yogurt. Phil and I have a card which almost has a free small yogurt. They add the toppings for you which I feel is incredibly more hygienic and slightly more nicer than serve your own places.

Came across this sign the other day and immediately thought of Hayleigh. Had I known, that Blues Traveler was going to be here I definitely would have made it a to do since Hay and I love 90's rock bands.

Lewie on Phil's phone. He does this so people have to pet him... he loves attention.

My peppers from my garden nicely arranged in my Halloween decorations. I love Halloween! :) 

Tijuana Flats is celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness by offering pink tortilla chips shaped in the ribbon. I couldn't resist a picture of such a nice gesture from Tijuana Flats. That's why they are awesome!

Ramblin' Rose Triathalon 2013

Before the race started.

Lots of runnerpeeps

Running towards the gate.

A few months ago, Meredith posted on runnerpeeps a call for one swimmer and a biker to do a relay team for the Ramblin' Rose Triathlon. I leaped at the opportunity for the swim portion and Michelle decided to take a stab at biking. So, we signed up as the Peepettes.

I seem to have a reoccurring condition where I get excited about races then don't train for them.... I don't know what it is called but I am a professional at it so it may just be named after me someday. For this race... I didn't even get into the pool at all. Like at all for months I didn't swim....

The day before the race Phil and I went to pick up my packet and I had to rank my swimming ability from 1 to 10 with 10 being extremely fast: 250 yards under 3 minutes. Because I hadn't trained I picked 5 and still have the outline of it in permanent marker on my hand.

The day of the race, I could barely sleep so I woke up early and made my way over to the event location. They told me to be there at 6:00 and I made it by 6:30 and had plenty of time since I was only competing in one event. I found Meredith and Michelle and we took some team photos, listened to instructions and the national anthem then the 10's began as well as the wait.

Looking at the long line of swimmers was daunting. I knew that I was a strong swimmer but knew with my lack of training that this could be difficult. I finally got into swim and thought I was at the end... oh no. This thing was like a Disney ride long line inside as well. So, after about 20 minutes... I finally made it into the pool and immediately needed to pass people at every lap. I felt great. Definitely, would love to train more so that I could have been a 9 but felt really good about being significantly faster than I had thought.

When I finished, I ran outside and found the ladies cheering me on and without a thought Michelle was off on the bike. I knew I had some time so that I could change so I took the opportunity to get into some warm clothes. Meredith and I spoke to the other relay teams which was nice to see how everyone knew everybody and cheer every one on.

Before I knew it, Michelle was in and I was struggling to get the timing chip off and onto Meredith and then she was off. Michelle caught her breath and we walked up to get some water before Meredith came in. When we saw her coming in through the path we all ran through the gate together to finish the race.

Phil was so nice and took so many photos for us... Big shout out to him. :)

We all ate lunch together at Brixx and were planning our next adventure: Richmond Half. Can't wait!

Definitely will think about doing this by myself next year.... or maybe getting someone to ride a bike. :)

Weekend Happenings

A few weeks ago, Phil and I decided to stop for Loco Pops in Durham which was my first time. The board was definitely fun to look at. I decided on a Cognac Salted Caramel which had too much cognac taste for me. But, Phil enjoyed almost all of it as well as an Apple Pie Loco Pop.

This is one of my favorite healthy new snacks. Fresh popped popcorn is delicious... with just a little bit of oil and lots of pepper and garlic salt. Yummy and low on the weight watchers points! Win. My Grammie G. loves popcorn and I am sure she would be able to show me a thing or two about making it. 

After a very lazy Sunday, Phil and I decided to go out for dinner at a new sushi place: Mount Fuji Sushi. The sunset roll had the perfect amount of lemon on it but the sauces were taking over the deliciousness of the rolls. Slightly disappointed but their Japanese soups smelled delicious so I definitely will be back to try again. And, they give a discount to Duke employees on Wednesday and Sunday which is a plus. 

The Bright Leaf District is my new favorite find in Durham. It has small shops and has a small town feel for where it is located. It was nice to walk down the pathway which reminded me a lot of Portland, Me. 

Phil and I made a delicious white pizza at his place. Finally eating in. :) Someday, I would really love to have a bread maker to make my own dough. This one was a generic store bought thin crust which was okay but definitely not as great as homemade.