Labor Day Weekend

I'm SO excited for it to finally be Friday and for this 3 day weekend!!! Today is the day I get to go to KC and see my boyfriend. Airports have been my best friend lately and I can't wait to be on that plane and hear it take off. I can now say I actually have a favorite parking spot at our local airport, Eco Park II; its super cheap and EVERYTHING'S under cover, so no annoying super hot car upon return. I highly recommend that one. Also, in my opinion, the Parking Spot sucks, especially for pickup during red eyes. The people are really nice but it was next to impossible to get a pickup, which had me waiting alone outside at 3 a.m. for over a half hour.

We're planning a long run this Saturday up the same crazy hills we conquered (well, sort of lol) during the Hospital Hill run, and we have some other fun ideas for things to do, like the Renaissance Festival. Mmmmm...turkey legs. I can't take my bike with me to go ride this weekend and I really want to ride, so next week will be full of track visits as long as the rain holds off. Really no matter what we do, getting to chill and hang out with my boyfriend means this weekend is going to be awesome! 😁

Some palm trees and the beautiful sky as seen from Baytown yesterday

When your colorful hair makes you feel magical and you need to waste time at the airport

Do you guys have anything fun planned for the Labor Day Weekend? 

Wow! Where the HECK did Summer go??

I bet I'm not the only one out there who is left sitting out on the porch, shaking her head wondering where in the HECK Summer ran off to (pun intended if you know me😀)? Granted, it's still about a million degrees outside, but the feeling of Summer, of those long hot weekends spent by the pool with a margarita or a snow cone or trying to completely avoid the sun altogether with gallons of sunscreen and lots of indoor gym time (that actually paints a more accurate picture of me this time around) feels like it's leaving us behind faster than a toupee in a hurricane. Fall in Texas feels like Summer everywhere else, so down here we all have a little while longer to enjoy the warm weather, but school has started back up, traffic is bad again, and the general feeling just changes.

So far, even with the heat and sun it's been SO much fun to practice at the BMX track and put in those (not so long) miles. I guess you sort of get "used" to the heat and humidity, but practicing and training anytime has just felt like so much fun to me lately, and you can't beat that laid back non-work hours Summer wardrobe either. I've really been loving my sandals and got to add a pair of those so-ugly-they-are-fashionable-and-pretty Birkenstocks to my collection. I know, it's a pretty divisive shoe. Love it or hate it. I chose the pebbled gold color:

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After about a two week break in time they are starting to become the most comfortable shoes I own, with exception to my running shoes. Birkenstocks, watermelon, traveling with my boyfriend, BMX racing and running pretty sums up my Summer for me. I don't know about you, but I am going to enjoy it for the next three weeks to its fullest! 

What words sum up this Summer for you? 

Taking the Path Less Stressed

The last few days at work have been busy and challenging. I have been covering for the Project Manager while he is out, and taking on a high stress position has been both frustrating and rewarding at times. Managing multiple accounts has given me good experience in a leadership role while working with different personalities has allowed me to utilize my communications background. Not to mention, this week and last has had Murphy's Law written all over it. Anything that could go wrong did.

That said, I have been working out my stress everyday this past week by going out to a new park trail and running. Putting in 5 miles really helps me think through everything, and I get to sweat and work out anything from the day (The BMX track was rained out Wednesday, so that became a run day too). Running or riding helps me enjoy the rest of the afternoon and take on the next day with gusto. After the first mile or two I feel so much more calm, happy and de stressed. I've recently been loving to find new places to run. There's an app called All Trails, and I plan on trying it out and continuing to check out new places.

What do you do to relieve stress from work besides running? 

Michigan Running

The weekend is over, the parents have been met, and I have survived!! Lol. SO dramatic, I know. This last weekend was fun, and I'm glad to come home to my cat and the AC. The BF and I woke up early Saturday and went for a run all around his old campus at the University of Michigan. It was really cool seeing everything, and I think if I had those kind of rolling hills to run on more often I would be one very happy girl (with really sore buttcheeks haha). Aside from it being a really good place to run, it was fun seeing where he went to school and hung out. Here are some views on our run:

After breakfast we got cleaned up and went back to the downtown area to walk around and see the sights. We saw some awesome murals, had bubble tea and played pinball at the local arcade. Everything downtown was still pretty chill because only a few students were starting to move in early, so we had a lot of the sidewalk to ourselves. 

We also went to check out the Delta Gamma house right after our run, since I thought it might be cool to go see it (pardon our sweaty workout clothes haha!). We parked and were checking it out when the house mother came to the door. We introduced ourselves and got to talking, and she was so nice! She even gave us a mini tour of the house since the girls weren't moved in and starting work week yet. It was such a beautiful three story house, with so much history. 

I really loved getting to spend time with my boyfriend. Since we live in different states I'm really appreciative of every day we get to spend together. Monday was a full on rest day. I don't know what it is about flights, but I'm always so tired after. You'd think I was the one flying lol! (insert tired arms joke here). Time to get back into the swing of things here! Strength AND cardio, I'm coming for you today! 💗

Finally Running In the "Cool" Weather!

This weekend I'll be taking a trip to meet my boyfriend's parents for the first time, and they are already assuming that we will be taking our morning long runs and have planned accordingly, haha! I love that. I also love that where I'm going will be about 20 degrees cooler than here! A high of 80 in August?! Mind blown. Can I stay a little longer? The hardest part is figuring out what to pack. I was told to keep it casual, so hopefully that makes things a little easier.

Runderful Wednesday

The middle of the week is here, WOOHOO!!!! We've made it this far guys, so SMILE. 😊😊 I've been thinking about attitude and positivity, and how to keep it going even when times get tough, and what I've learned is that there is no simple answer. However, YOU are responsible for your own happiness; no one else can do it for you. I love reading funny or inspirational things, whatever makes me smile or think about something in a different way. My pick of the week is:

Being Supportive! 

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I was reading an Instagram post this morning of a run influencer, and she mentioned in her post that she got some mean messages in the DM that had her in a bad mood. She talked about how she liked to post the nice pictures of herself and project a happy positive mood. She also said that she wasn't trying to compete with anyone or be better than anyone; she was posting because she liked to, running because she liked to, and in the end running her own race.

I agree with her, I mean, who LIKES to post bad photos of themselves online? We all do very now and then, because there's no point in taking yourself too seriously, but there's no point in doing it just so someone else won't feel threatened, etc. Never dim your shine. It was bad enough that we all (okay, at least some of us) had to endure our parents hanging those really bad school photos of us on the wall, and mailing them to every relative they can think of! I don't know about you, but I'm definitely not trying to replicate that on the internet.

There's no point in carrying negative feelings toward someone because they present themselves nicely on social media, or anywhere else. There's always someone faster than you, slower than you, stronger, weaker, etc. Being supportive doesn't mean someone has to agree 100% with someone else's lifestyle or photos, but how about living by the old adage, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"?

That said, say (and think!) nice things to one another, because we have no idea what someone else is going through, but also never be afraid to live your best life and be your best self. Run your own race. 😄

It's My Runniversary!!!!!!

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They always say times flies when you're having fun, and in this case I'm pretty sure it did. It is now officially my (4th—thanks Jess!) runnivarsary (WOOHOO!!), and while the past 4 years haven't been the smoothest ride, deciding to keep trying got me to where I am now, which I am eternally thankful for. Through these past years of race bibs, running friends, music playlists (then NO music playlists), wardrobes changing from pink and girly to Nike Tempos (some still pink), and traveling to my first out of state races, running has contributed in large part to helping me move away from the negative relationships and things in life holding me back. It's given me a quiet place to think, a feeling of accomplishment almost every day and most importantly it's enhanced my ability to set and see through goals from short to long term. Don't you love the feeling of going for a goal even if people around you are telling you that you can't do it, and accomplishing that goal anyway? On that note, never, EVER, let someone tell you what you can and can not do. Since I started running I feel more present in everyday life. I am no longer waiting for the future without really enjoying the time I have now. I've also enjoyed meeting so many people through running, discovering so many cool blogs to read and starting my own as well. Here's to 4 more great years! Cheers!

My favorite virtual bumper sticker!! 

Volunteer Weekend

This past weekend I got to be one of the volunteers and coaches in the USA BMX Racing League. It is part of a multi weekend course aimed at introducing brand new riders to the sport of BMX. I haven't volunteered in a year or two, and it felt so good to be out there and also be representing and hanging out with some other members of my team, Gold's Gym, as well as other volunteers and coaches. Despite the August heat, the kids and adults all loved it. This weekend we went over holding your line and turns,  and after that we held mock races. My neighbor's were also out there having a blast, and my boyfriend flew down and hung out during the league. After the morning was over we were so tired. We ate lunch and laid around and nothing more got done that day lol! I can't wait to help again with the league when it begins again in September, so until then I will be training, running and racing my heart out. 💖😎

RUNderful Wednesday

The middle of the week is here, WOOHOO!!!! We've made it this far guys, so SMILE. 😊😊 I've been thinking about attitude and positivity, and how to keep it going even when times get tough, and what I've learned is that there is no simple answer. However, YOU are responsible for your own happiness; no one else can do it for you. I love reading funny or inspirational things, whatever makes me smile or think about something in a different way. My pick of the week is:

RUNNING IN THE SUMMER!

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Running in the Texas summer, no matter how early you wake up or how late you run is a feat all on its own. It's hot, humid and just plain stifling, but I love it! Before you think I'm crazy, let me explain. 

First, I'm a huge fan of training. I love putting in the time it takes to build up to that great race time or longer mileage. That feeling of knowing I can learn something or get better at something little everyday keeps me inspired and going strong. Knowing that I'm sweating it out in the summer gives me all the feels for that wonderful fall and winter season, also known as race season. 

Second, I care about my running times SO much less in the summer, and in turn that takes a lot of unnecessary stress off and I can just focus on having fun and seeing something new/finding new views when I run. Just knowing that I got out there at all is sort of like running in the rain- it makes me feel like a badass. A heavily sunscreen-ed overly panting badass. 

Third, now that I've been running for a few years I know how much lower mileage times get from season to season, and that is a GREAT feeling, even if I don't care about my summer times. 😋

And last, running with friends is priceless. It's a blast and it makes those summer morning miles just fly by (pun intended ha!). 

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What are some of your favorite things about running in the summertime? 

Eating Healthier - Week 2 (& 1st Fall Off the Wagon)

Two weeks have come and gone since I decided to take a greater interest in my diet and eating healthy, and I am surprised at how great I still feel. I though making it to the end of August would be super tough, but so far it's been great. With exception to a cheat day (that was a disaster I'll talk about later), I remained on a no unnecessary sugar, 95% cut out processed food (I had a cup of ramen) diet. I have been training like normal, as well as kept my normal sleep habits. 

Workouts have felt a lot better, and I am able to fully accomplish more of the workouts my trainer has me on. This week I discovered that the HEB near me has an orange plate deal. The food is pre cooked, and for around $5 you can get a protein and 2 vegetables. It's been really good because not only has it been healthy but it also gives me ideas on what to make at home later. 

On Saturday I decided to stop by a Mexican fast food place on my way back from Austin. I was tired and justified to myself that a cheat day was okay. Fast forward to that night and I was up feeling SO sick to my stomach after eating that greasy taco bowl that was my taco salad. Sunday became a rest in bed all day day, so... BIG lesson learned. 💁

Breakfast

Last week I'm not gonna lie, I fell behind on making my overnight oats and relied on a Nutra Grain bar every once in a while. DEFINITELY going to get back on that wagon tomorrow though. 

Lunch

For lunch this week I have still been eating salads and every once in a while cup of soup, like chicken tortilla. Below is an easy recipe I've been loving. Click the link in the caption if you're interested. 😄

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Dinner

For dinner I've been keeping it relatively the same with a protein, starch and vegetable. With my training being later at night it has been a lot harder to cook something. Sometimes if a training night goes late I'll cook my dinner, eat half and save the rest to have with lunch the next day. That way I don't waste fresh food. Below is tilapia (I know it isn't that great, but there wasn't any salmon), carrots and chipotle quinoa salad, all from HEB as part of the choices in their orange plates. Chicken and broccoli have also become my best friend. ❤

Dessert

Yep, still stickin' with fresh fruit if I am yearning for a dessert, and it's working! 

2 weeks down and 4 to go!!! Woohoo! 

Virtual Races

Virtual races...you can jump out of bed, go to the treadmill or whatever trail you want to, log your mileage and then receive a medal in the mail a week or two later. Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about these. I've done two virtual races myself, one because I just started running and didn't know any better and the second because it was through Brazen Racing and as much as I wanted to I couldn't make it to California for that race. The second virtual race was fun; it was called the Bear Creek trail run and since there's a TON of places named Bear Creek around me I decided to go do a half marathon while on a mission to take pictures of everything Bear Creek. That was fun, probably definitely not as much fun as actually being in NorCal, but fun nonetheless, and it gave me something to accomplish out in the crazy Summer heat of 2017.

The medal was AWEOSME (source)

This year and next year I will be traveling a bit for some of my runs, and I very much prefer being in the actual crowd of runners and experiencing what they experience. To me that's a big part of running a race. I definitely see the value in virtual races. If you live far out and can't get to a race, or if you need that push to reach a goal it works very well! From now on, with exception to maybe a Brazen race, there will be no more virtual races for me. What do you guys think about virtual runs? Do you love them? Hate them? 

RUNderful Wednesday

The middle of the week is here, WOOHOO!!!! We've made it this far guys, so SMILE. 😊😊 I've been thinking about attitude and positivity, and how to keep it going even when times get tough, and what I've learned is that there is no simple answer. However, YOU are responsible for your own happiness; no one else can do it for you. I love reading funny or inspirational things, whatever makes me smile or think about something in a different way. My pick of the week is:

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Putting forth that good energy and positive attitude really make all the difference, and can even positively affect others around you who maybe need a little pick me up. I always think about this old ongoing Saturday Night Live skit called Debbie Downer, I believe. It was hilarious, but we all know one. This woman was such a downer, even in the most positive of times, that she brought everyone around her down as well (even with a skit being at Disneyland lol- that was the Lindsay Lohan SNL). I definitely know someone who is like this. She is always negative even on social media about small things, and there's really no point. I've said it before and I'll say it again, your vibe attracts your tribe. ❤😎 Everyone have a GREAT hump day!