I've moved my blog!

Hey guys! To all of you that follow my blog here, I just wanted to let you know that I move it to http://hopefulrunner.wordpress.com/. Check it out! I love the new format and this it really allows me to show my creativity!

The knee and my awesome dinner!

Hi all, well for those of you that don't know I have been having pain in my knee and my foot for about the past two weeks and it has really put a stop to my running, which has been very hard for me to deal with lately. Well, I went to the doc today to have it checked out and he said that I most likely strained or pulled my MCL and it should heal in about two weeks. Damn, I kinda already knew that but figured cause I was in so much pain that it would be a good idea to get it checked out. There's two wasted hours that I will never get back! Yarrrgggg. So, no running for me for another week and a half or so. At least I have been doing good with my food and have not cheated during lent! That makes it much easier for me to rationalize not being able to run and just having to do cross training.
Anyways, before and after my doctors apt I did homework of course. I am working on a research presentation for my biology class about artificial sweeteners, their molecular structure, and the effects that they have on the human body. Boy have a learned a lot that I wish I had known about 5 years ago when I started drinking diet sodas and eating sugar free foods. First of all, it's really scary what this stuff is made of and it is even worse when you learn what it does to your body. Ick!

I took a break this evening from my studies to make some delicious dinner, Spike our cat was keeping me warm, but decided to cuddle up to my books instead when I got off the couch. He looked so cute and comfortable I just had to take a pic.



For dinner tonight I decided to grill up some chicken breasts on my George Foreman grill with some frozen mixed stir fry veggies and fresh brussel sprouts. Mmmmmmmm! So good! I pretty much ate my portion of chicken right when it came off the grill so I didn't get much of it in the pic, but it was delicious and so were the veggies. Lately there is nothing better than a big bowl of steamed vegetables.


After dinner I remembered that I hadn't had any carbs with dinner and saw that I had a sweet potato that I needed to cook...so, I decided to make sweet potato fries! Mmmmmm! I took my big sweet potato, sliced it up and mixed the slices up with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled cinnamon over the top. I baked them in the oven at 425 degrees for about 12 minutes, and they came out PERFECT! Who needs desert after dinner when you have sweet potato fries with cinnamon on them!
Here's what they looked like when they came out of the oven...heavenly!


I also decided to treat myself to a glass of wine after my dinner and "desert". Actually, I had a small glass of each of these...I just couldn't help myself.


Oh! So I sent off for some free samples of tea a few weeks ago from Yogi and they came today! I was so excited to get them and try em out, and they came with a coupon for my next box of tea! Woohoo! I tried the "Antioxidant Green Tea" with a packet of Stevia natural sweetener this evening, and it was just what I needed while I was studying. I love tea, and am really glad that I gave up diet sodas and started drinking it instead.


Well, my day is winding down and hubs left to go hang out with one of his friends so I think I'm going to watch some of my DVR'd shows before I go to bed.
Have a great night guys and I hope you are enjoying my blog!

Lent - Week one update!

Hey all!  I made it through my first week of lent, refined sugar and desert free!  I don't really like the idea of having to restrict something from my diet because usually that type of thing can backfire, but I have been so motivated to be healthier and meet this challenge that I am okay with it!  I have insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes (this is not a new discovery or anything) and during my visit to my doc the other day I told her that I had given up refined sugars and she was very pleased.  She told me that this is one of the best things I can do to keep my insulin issues and metabolism in check without having to take Western medicine, which I am NOT a fan of at all.  So, needless to say, these past 6 days have been great!  I have not had any wierd and uncontrollable cravings to satisfy my sweet tooth, and I think it's mainly because I have a goal in mind and ahead of me.  I have eaten things that are sweet, but are naturally sweetened.  Like, raspberry preserves, stevia in my coffee and cereal, fruit, yogurt, etc so that has done the trick.  I have also decided to get out of the slump of eating the same meal every night for dinner simply beause it is convienent, and have been putting together more dinner combos, which has satisfied my craving for change in my diet.  It's pretty challenging to make sure that I am getting my protein carbs and veggies in every meal, but I have the knowledge so I just need to take the time to prepare the meals.  

I truly believe that my problems with food cravings, mainly sweets, come from the fact that I lack variety in my diet.  It's hard when you are on a budget, don't have a lot of time, and can only eat certain foods....but I have managed to come up with some pretty good dinners!  I have also found some pretty awesome blogs on here from fellow foodies with great recipe and meal ideas which have really inspired me and given me new ideas.  You should really check them out..
www.eatliverun.com, http://nhershoes.blogspot.com/, and http://therunningyogini.wordpress.com/
These ladies are truly inspiring and creative, and I really enjoy reading their blogs! Plus, it's awesome to see what they will be cooking up next!

Unfortunately I have been working on some projects for school that have kept me pretty busy so I haven't been able to take pics of my meals....either that or I just forgot.  DOH!  I will make sure and do that tomorrow.  I have been working on a lot of stuff for school right now not to mention a big research project for my biology class.  Boy, I can't wait till this qtr is over so I can take a break!

Okay, gotta get back to the homework and this nice glass of wine that I am enjoying so I will update more later.  Hopefully with some pics included.

Night all!

Breakfast for dinner and my first day of "non-religious" lent

Hey guys!  I had a great day today.  Today is my first official day of "non-religious lent" as I call it, and it has been a success!  I know, I know...it's only day one, but I am still optimistic.  As part of my internal cleansing I have started using the dry sauna at the gym after my workouts as a way to sweat out my toxins and clear out my skin and it feels great...why haven't I used this before!?  Well, today after class I went to the gym and did my workout and then sat in the sauna for 15 minutes.  I felt so good and clean afterwards, I think I will do it every day after I work out.  I never knew how good I could feel after just sitting and sweating and stretching, it was great! 

I injured  my knee yesterday when I was doing squats and was not able to run today.  I swear I am falling apart!  Two weeks ago, I re-sprained my right ankle, hurt my left foot (all on the same run) and then yesterday I hurt my left knee!  What the hell!?  Oh well, I am going to take about a week off from running and just cross train until my knee feels better...as hard as it is to not run I need to listen to my body.

Today after my workout I went to this awesome little cafe with a friend of mine from my biology class and we sat and studied for about three and a half hours.  I got a lot accomplished!  I got some of my homework done and got a good start on my research project!  Woohoo!

When I came home I was itching to do something other than sit on my butt so I made an awesome dinner for Tim and myself.  I made him blueberry pancakes with apple smoked bacon and hashbrowns.  I made myself two little mini-blueberry pancakes and a boca burger patty, which tasted like cardboard but I needed to protein so I just ate it anyways.  Oh, and I had a glass of wine with dinner, and a cup of Cascade Fresh lemon yogurt for desert. This is the finished product minus about 3 pieces of bacon that Tim couldn't wait to eat. There's Tim..."Can you please take the picture so I can eat my tasty dinner!?" hehe There's my dinner...it doesn't look as good as Tim's did, but it was still tasty and I enjoyed it. :) There's Spike wondering where his dinner is. I swear he thinks he is a dog because he will sit at our feet at the dinner table or in the living room if we are eating in front of the tv, and beg for a bite of whatever we are eating. He will try everything too. One time I gave him spicy salsa that was almost too hot for me, and he loved it...boy did that one backfire. Here's Princess Molly sitting at the dinner table waiting for her dinner. Tim got up for a few minute to go get something and she was right up in his chair waiting to be served. Our cats have the best personalities. Hope you enjoyed the pictures of my tasty dinner! There will be more to come next week. I work a crazy schedule this weekend so I don't know if I will have time to blog with all of the homework I will be catching up on. Catch up with you all soon! D

Giving up something for Lent

In my search for answers, self improvement, growth, and cleansing...I have decided to give up something for lent. Now, I am loosely starting this today, and am going to be preparing myself (since I only decided to do this on a whim this morning) all day today for my next 40 days. This will be no easy task, giving up something completely for an extended period of time never is, but I am up for the challenge! I need this, and can do this!
I have been doing some research this morning to find out exactly what lent is and if you can do it if you are not catholic. I am spiritual, but not religious. I read that lent simply means "the spring season", and since I am trying to do some spring cleaning of my own (mentally and spiritually), I think that this is going to be a fun challenge! I found this when I was researching lent this morning and it really motivated me "Lent is a time for soul-searching, facing great challenges and overcoming mistakes." I am really in need of some soul-searching, so what a great way to get focused!
I also thought this was interesting (not news to any of you, but since I didn't really know what lent was, I found this helpful) "Give up something you love for the 40-day period, symbolizing the Lenten season's return to simplicity and purity. It doesn't matter what you give up - cigarettes, chocolate, television, surfing the Internet - as long as the meaning of its absence holds significant value to you."
So, what am I going to be giving up....I'm sure you are just dying to know! I'm going to give up sugary junk foods, basically anything that contains refined sugars, like cookies, candy, cake, etc. I have been trying to find a way to motivate myself to really stay away from this crap for a while as a way to cleanse my body...and here is my motivation!! I think this is great too because now I will have to find more creative ways to make healthy yet satisfying snacks when I am feeling that urge to have something sweet.
I just have a little bit of trail mix in my car that has white chocolate chips in it that I will finish today because I don't want to waste food, and then it's on! So, who's with me on giving up something for lent!?
Email me on my facebook , or post a comment and let me know. It would be fun to have other people to do this with and check in with..kind of like a support system. Of course, you don't have to give up the same thing that I am, but it's more about the self control facing the challenge.
I will keep you all posted and let you know how I am doing! Oh man, I spent too much time doing this and now I am going to be late for school! Bye guys!

My quest for new and delicious teas!

Well, today has been a rather productive and happy day for me. School, and other things have been kicking my ass lately and I finally have some time to catch up on my blog. I didn't make my egg white omelet today, so no pics...sorry. Like I said, I have been rather busy.
School today was good and for the first time in a while, I had energy when I woke up and was actually able to focus during class. I found this amazing tea the other day (okay, it was never really lost, I had just never heard of it)! My friend makes it and had recommended that I try some and if I liked it, she was going to bottle some up for me. It's called Synergy Kombucha, and is sold in bottles, not tea bags. Synergy is the brand and kombucha is the type of tea, which she makes, and it is so good! I found it at Marlene's (for those of you who don't live over here, Marlene's is a natural food store). This stuff is kind of expensive, so I might see if my friend can show me how to make it, it's so good for you and is so damn tasty! Here is a pic of the two flavors that I have tried so far, Trilogy and Cosmic Cranberry....so yummy!

I was also looking for some new tea to add to my collection since I have been on a tea kick lately. I did a toxin report for my biology class on formaldehyde, and am also working on a research project on sucralose and aspartame. After the extremely disturbing things that I have learned thus far about man-made artificlial sweeteners, I have completely sworn off diet soda and anything labeled "sugar free". I work so hard on a daily basis to make sure that I am putting clean whole foods into my body as well as exercising and staying fit....and then I go and drink a diet soda or use Sweet n' Low and cover all of that hard work up with man made chemicals that won't ever break down in my body and are basically poisoning me. What I have learned has been a total eye opener! So, instead of that afternoon or evening soda, I have been drinking tea. And, why not? I have a nice tea collection, and it's much healthier than diet soda....not to mention it tastes better and is really soothing on these cold days. There is nothing better than coming home from a cold run, taking a shower, and then sitting down in my jammies with my homework and a nice cup of hot tea! I recently went through and did an inventory on my teas just to see what I have, here's a pic of my little collection.



And, these are the teas that I picked up from a tea house in Beijing when I was in China. It was so awesome! This place was like the Costco of loose and bagged teas. They had everything from the least expensive tea to the tea that cost thousands of yuan an ounce. When we went there, they took us into a little room in the back of the tea house and we got to sample as many teas as we wanted to. We just kept picking them out and the manager kept bringing them for us to try. I tell ya, we were a wired bunch when we left there. I ended up getting loose organic green tea, loose organic Pu'er tea (which is a black tea), and this tea called Flower tea that starts out as flowers and blooms when hot water is added. It was one of the more expensive teas but I couldn't resist, it tasted heavenly and looked beautiful in the big glass kettle.



This is what the flower tea looks like..



Okay, I digress....back to my mission for new tea. When I was at Marlene's on my tea mission, I knew I wanted to pick up some Yogi tea since I love that brand, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to get. Caffinated, decaf, detox, green...etc. There is just so much to choose from. I decided to get a new one that they have out called Ginko IQ.



It's supposed to help with cerebral functioning by refreshing brain cells with an abundance of blood and oxygen (and let's be honest here, I could really use some brain refreshing these days). Since I have a ridiculously hard time remembering things and focusing when I am in class lately I thought...what the hell, I'll try it. Well, I don't know if it's all in my head, or if this tea actually helps with brain function, but I have been brewing it up and taking it to school with me in the morning, and drinking it in the afternoons while doing my homework and I have been more alert than I was before. It has been easier for me to pay attention and keep focused in class, which is a great thing. Not that I'm not interested in my classes, but I just have such a hard time "waking up" and being alert in the mornings lately and it makes it hard for me to remember lectures. So, I'm going to keep drinking it and see if anything improves.
I do know that since I have stopped drinking diet soda and using artificial sweeteners, that I have been feeling better. I have been sleeping a little better and have had more energy. I know that these dangerous man made chemicals will never leave my body, but I am going to do what I can to keep them out of there from here on out. Plus, now that I am not drinking that crap anymore....it just gives me more opportunities to drink new and delicious tea! If you guys have any suggestions on any new teas that I should try, please leave a comment and let me know!
Oh, and before I head out and off to bed...Yogi is sending out free samples of some of their new teas. Mine are on the way and should be here in about 4 weeks! Just go to http://www.yogitea.com/Pages/FreeSamples.html.
Later!

Just checking in...

Hey guys.  To the few of you that read my blog, sorry that I have been absent.  I have been going through a lot of stuff lately, not to mention working wierd hours and having a lot homework, so I just haven't had time to dedicate to my blog.  I probably should make time, as it always makes me feel better.  I plan on updating tonight though.  I made an awesome eggwhite omlet for myself nad cheeseburgers with home made fries for Tim last night for dinner, and I was thinking that I should have taken pics so that I could share our dinners with you.  So, I will probably be making it again tonight and I will take pics and give you all an update on what's been going on with me.  

I will check back soon!  Off to school I go...

It was snowing yesterday, but I did it! (2/11/09)

Well, my goal was to beat the snow yesterday and get my run done before hand.  I was watching the news and it was snowing up north and hadn't come our way yet.....until I got out of my car and started running.  So, I got out for my run with an intention of doing about 6 miles and I ended up doing 8, which is my current long run distance.  It was snowing the whole time, which is a first for me.  I don't know if I enjoy running in the snow, it was cold and wet and a little uncomfortable.  I kind of attribute my being uncomfortable to trying to get back into my running routine, and I think that an 8 mile run in any weather would have been hard for me yesterday.  I am glad that I did it, but let me just say that I have discovered that I am NOT one of those runners that likes to run in any weather.  I don't care what anyone says, that does not make me less of a runner, it just makes me a cold weather wimp.  Hi, I'm Dayna, and I don't like running in the rain or snow.  There, I said it.  I did it yesterday, and will probably do it again...but like I said yesterday morning, WHERE ARE YOU SUMMER!?  Anyways, I am glad that I did my long run this week and got it out of the way.  I will be taking the day off from running today and just head to the gym to lift.  My knees and hips are a little sore and I rolled my ankle yesterday so I am going to go to the chiropractor and have him give me a little adjustment.  I haven't lifted in a while and am really looking forward to it, I just want to feel strong again. 

Well, I am off to school.  I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to start the day!  I am in good spirits this morning and the sun is shining, which tells me that today will be a great day!!  

I think I have finally repaid my sleep debt (2/10/09)

Good Morning!! Well, I think I have finally shaken this nasty cold and am back to my old self...more or less. There is no school today and I had intended to sleep in, but I woke up refreshed and ready to go at 6:30! It usually happens like that, which is fine actually. I like to get up early and get things done, as long as I have had a good nights sleep I don't mind. I needed to get a jump start on homework anyways.  

I got back into my grind yesterday and went for a run after school. It was a short 4 miles, but I ran it pretty fast, and it felt good. I have lost some of my endurance, but not my speed, which always seems to be the case.  I know that it's going to take a few weeks to get back into shape, or at least feel like I am, but I know that yesterday's run was a good start. Man, it is always so hard for me to get back on track when I have to take time off from running, or if my mileage has been low. I have a love/hate relationship with running. Sometimes it's so hard, and I just want to say "F-it!" and quit (which is usually in the first three miles while I am warming up), and then I hit that zone and feel like I could run forever. Well, I didn't have that feeling at all yesterday, and when I am trying to get my "running feet" back, it usually takes a few runs to get to that point. And, since this is my first winter running outdoors, it has been especially hard for me. Not that I don't get out there and run in 30* weather (which is warm for some of the people I have spoken to), but damn, it's really hard to get motivated to go outside when all I want to do is curl up by the heater. I guess that's what separates me (and all of the other runners out there) from people who just work out. I run because I love it, and love what it does for me, and how it helps me heal.  So, even if it's colder than frozen snot out there, I will still go and run.  I have a gym membership, and could just go in and use the tread mill, which I do when it's raining, but since i have started running outside, being on the TM is like pulling teeth for me.  Soooo boreing!  Now I just have to get my lazy azz out there and get back on track, because I know that once I get my flow back, I will be in love with running again.
Well, it's supposed to snow here today...which I am totally over, but I am going to go out and run anyways. It has snowed here a lot this winter, and it would be cool, if it actually snowed enough to stick and make a difference...not just make the roads slushy and ugly.  I hope to get in 6 miles, or maybe more today, so we'll see.  I am still trying to figure out which route I am going to run.  
Just to show you an example of how damn cold it's been (especially in our house), check out the cat's bundling up on Tim's lap. That doesn't happen very often, so I had to take a picture.  

Alright, I'd better get geared up and head out for my run before the snow hits.  I'm watching the weather report right now and it looks cold.  WHERE ARE YOU SUMMER!?  I would even settle with Spring....uggg.  Okay, I'm off.  I will report back later with my mileage.  I am also making yummy tofu stirfry for dinner tonight with harvest grains, so I will try and post some pics of my nummy dinner.

Have a great day all.

I've been neglecting my blogging responsibilities

I intended on blogging every day or every other day, but the past few weeks have been a little intense and I have been trying to work through some things. I didn't want to come on here and completely unleash what has been going on in my head and my life because, well...some things are too personal for the internet. Anyways, things are looking up. Plus, I caught a nasty virus that has been going around and have been really sick since last Sunday, and haven't had the energy to come on here and post. I usually get these little annoying colds that slow me down a little, but don't stop me in my tracks like this one. I am still able to work out (light intensity) and go to work and school, etc. But, this cold hit me like a ton of bricks on Sunday morning, and is only getting worse. So, there goes my whole quest to "get back on track". I haven't worked out in 7 days and feel really nasty and squishy. I don't even feel like a runner anymore and am afraid for my first run back, because I know it's going to kick my ass. So here I am last week, training my clients and kicking their butts, while I know that I haven't even been able to make an attempt to work out. I look in the mirror and see every imperfection, every jiggle, every squishy spot. My muscle mass is going down, my body fat is going up and really, what kind of example am I setting? I know I am probably being too hard on myself, but I think back to the kind of shape I was in when I was training at 24 Hour Fitness, and I am not there anymore. It's sad when life gets too busy and stressful and it takes away from the thing that you love most, (Besides my husband and family of course), running and working out. I am always fighting an internal battle with myself regarding my fitness and health and overall appearance. I had an interesting conversation about this with my friend Casey at work last night. I won't elaborate, but it kind of opened my eyes to a few things. I want to be in the kind of shape that I was in before and I find myself increasingly more tired every day, and find it harder to do all of things I used to do. I don't attribute it to age, I think it's stress, it's beating me down and tearing me apart. I need to find my happy place. But, I digress...I am getting off topic.
So, I woke up this morning sick as hell. I worked till 12:30 last night and was surprised that I made it through. I work 330-12a today too and am really wondering if I can make it through the whole shift. I just got up to wash the dishes and had to take a break because I was exhausted and felt like I was going to pass out. Arggggg.
My plan is to hopefully shake this crap off and get back to working out and running next week. I really want to start racing again and get my running legs back. I love running and I can't loose touch with it.
Okay, time to do some homework...and there is a nummy grapefruit in the kitchen that is calling my name. I am craving the vitamin C like there is no tomorrow.
Thanks for reading my rambling babble.

Feeling the pressure (1/29/09)

So, school has been good this quarter so far. I am taking General Psychology and Biology 100 (love bio!). It's been tough, but good. But, when is college ever really easy? It has never been easy for me, always a challenge, and always a struggle, but in the past 3 years that I have been in college I have learned to adapt, manage my time, and prioritize my projects. I love school, and I love learning. Well, yesterday everything from both of my classes seemed to start piling up and it hit me..."Wholy crap! I am so overwhelmed right now!" As I sit at the dining room table (which has been converted to my study area, in which I spend at least 4 hours every day that I am not working), I looked at my student planner and realized that mid-terms are coming up next week. Okay, so I am used to studying for exams and mid-terms, no big deal. But here is the part that about sent me into a panic attack....I have two projects due by next week, a chapter to read for this week, and 4 chapters to go over for the mid-term on Tuesday for biology...and I have some videos to watch, two homework assignments to work on, and 4 chapters to study for the mid-term on Wednesday for psychology! What the hell, what is up with all of this busy work being assigned a week before the mid-term? I mean, I understand that college isn't easy and our professors want to challenge us, I get that. But, how can you study and focus when you have three projects to work on at one time!? It's Friday and I still have all of this to do. So, I have plenty of time to get it done and I have a time line planned out, but there is only so much I can do in a day before my brain shuts down. I feel like I go through this every quarter, but these classes have more busy work than I am used to, thank god I only took these two classes. I study for at least 4 hours a day and that isn't really enough, but by the time I am done my brain is toast. So, today is Thursday and I start my three day work week at Trader Joe's tomorrow night. I did have a client to train tonight but he had to cancel and I am actually thankful for that, it gives me an hour and a half more to study and I don't have to worry about getting dressed and heading into the gym tonight, which means I can break up my study sessions a little more. So, when I get out of school today, I will head out for my long run, which is 8 miles right now, come home and shower, and then hit to books until I can't see strait anymore. I am definitely feeling the pressure right now, and I hope that I am able to focus and slow my mind down so that I can retain all of the information that I am studying. I know, I know, boo-hoo...I'm whining and complaining and sound like a big baby, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to bust my ass and get all of this stuff done. I just hope I get a good grade on my mid-terms and in my classes at the end of the quarter. I just needed to vent, I feel better now. So, off to school I go. WooHoo!

My dinner tonight and sulfite free organic wine! (1/27/09 pm)

As stated this morning, I made my awesome chicken vegetable soup for dinner tonight! It turned out great.  Before I made dinner, Tim and I went to Trader Joes to get some wine that I have wanted to try for a while.  I really like wine, but when I drink it, I always get really bad headaches.  Someone that I work with at TJ's suggested that I try some sulfite free organic wine to help with the headaches.  The sulfites are a food preservative and have been known to cause headaches on some rare cases, and considering that I am sensitive to almost everything, I thought I would give it a try.  Well, even if I do get a headache from this wine it was well worth it because this stuff is amazing!  There is such a difference in the taste in wine that does not contain sulfites.  It has a suttle oak and woodsy taste with a hint of vanilla, it's just wonderful.  I really like it, and being that I am not a "wine person", it's pretty hard to find a wine that I am in love with.  Just in case you are interested in trying it out, here is the website for the guys that make it www.ourdailyred.com.  The wine makers are just two guys out of a small town in California, and the name of the winery is Orleans Hill Winery.  

Okay, enough with the wine stuff..let's get on with dinner.
Dinner was my usual chicken and veggie soup, but this one was different and I think it's going to taste amazing.  Contents are: organic chicken stock, chicken breast cut up into small pieces, carrots, celery, garlic, onions, cubed sweet potato, broccoli, roasted corn and 21 spice seasoning (all of this is from Trader Joe's of course).  This pot lasts me all week, and every night when I dish it up, I add some cayanne and black pepper to give it a little more heat, it's soooo good, and is so comforting this time of year.

Check out the pics...

Getting everyting together...

Cutting up the veggies...

I sautee the garlic, onions, carrots, celery and sweet potatoes (which haven't been added yet) for about 10-15 minutes before I add the chicken and stock...

Stiring up the pot and getting ready to let it simmer for about 60 minutes...

Here is the finished product! I ate it with a few crackers, and it was amazing! The roasted corn really gave the soup a smokey flavor and everything all fell into place like it should have. Sooooo good as usual! What a great night this has been!


Oh, and here is Tim's dinner....gourmet pizza right out of the box and into the oven! :)

Getting back on my feet....literally (1/27/09 am)

Since winter quarter has started, my road miles (and sometimes treadmill, depending on the weather) have declined.  I also fell off the wagon, so to speak, and haven't been eating that well either.  Even though I am only taking two classes, all of the work is kicking my butt and I am finding myself becoming increasingly more tired day after day, which is really sucking the motivation to work out and go running right out of me.  Wierd, that is so not like me.  I love to work out, and even more, I love to run.  But, during the past few weeks, I have gone out for my usual runs and just thought the whole time...."I hate this, I want to go home, this sucks!".  Well, this week I am starting anew!  Better nutrition, back to my running, and even more important...I'm going to start lifting again.  My muscle tone is, well....non existant in my upper body.  Okay, yeah I know that's not physically possible, but it is really not what it used to be.  So, I am trying to find new ways to prioritize my homework and my workouts so that I can get them both in and feel good and have energy again.  Eating better will help too...hopefully my energy levels will go back up.

Yesterday (Monday), I went for my long(ish) run.  It was really nice.  I found a route that I can run by the house so that I don't have to actually drive somewhere to go running (which never really made sense to me).  We don't live in the most "runner friendly" area so this is a pretty big deal.  Anyways, I did 7 miles and it was great!  It was about 35* out, the sky was clear, and I had a view of Mt. Rainier on the second half of my run heading back to the house.  Great way to start the week.  My nutrition was good yesterday too...well besides the handful of hot tamales I ate last night.  Oops. 

It snowed last night (WTF), and I am supposed to go to Pt. Defiance for a 5 mile hill run with Claire, so we'll see if we still do that.  I don't usually run with other people, I'm am a solo runner for the most part, but it should be fun.  I am kind of a cold weather wimp, I love running in the 30ish degree weather...it's perfect for me, but anything colder and I am not really that comfortable.  If we don't go run outside, then **gulp** I'll go to the gym and run on the treadmill and lift some weights.  I hate the TM lately.  I know it's a great training tool, and it's what I started on, but shit....it is so boreing!  Oh well, I WILL get my workout in today and get my homework done!  I'm making my yummy chicken vegetable soup tonight for dinner too, will post a pic of that later.

This is a pic of me and Claire at our turkey trot last November. WooHoo!

Okay, enough of this blogging business, I gotta get to school.

Will report back later.

What I though was writers block, turned into a word vomit

I thought that I had nothing to say or report, but I think I was wrong.  There is a lot on my mind but I can't seem to put it into words.  I started this blog with the hope of being able to take some of the things that are on my mind and put them into words, and use that as a form of therapy.  I also want to use this blog to share my love for running, nutrition, and wellness with my friends and family.  I feel like I lack focus in my life, and am kind of all "over the place" with my thougts and feelings, and the things that I do.  I am really good at starting little projects with good intentions but get bored with them pretty quickly and move onto something new.  I can't sit still for more than about 30 minutes at a time and need constant stimulation, yet I am always feeling fatigued and tired.  I would really like to learn how to gain a little more focus.  Maybe writing this blog and trying to put in an entry every day at least will help me gain a little more discipline in my life.  Maybe by putting my thoughts, fears, and anxieties down on "paper" will help me to realize my faults and strengths and gain more discipline.  I never thought about writing a blog because it would be A) way too personal for me to share with people, and that scares me, or B) I wouldn't be able to commit to it, like I said, I have commitment issues with projects.  But, Tim (my husband) suggested that I start this blog so that I could put some of my words down and help others in the process.  I resisted at first in my traditional fashion and said "NO, I won't commit to this blog and will get tired of it in a few days", but because he knows me better than anyone, and knows that this will be good for me, I decided to start it.  So, there you go.  My very first blog entry.  DONE!  Now, I have to get ready for work.  Hope this didn't bore you to tears....not sure who "you" are or if anyone is actually reading this, but maybe someone will someday.