Fri-Yay Feels & Fashion Haul

Happy Fri-Yay everyone!!!

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. It's going to be more on the chill side, with even more rain in the forecast and no traveling on the schedule. Tomorrow will be full of working out and a fall closet and room cleanout. I went online a few weeks ago and purchased some cute sweaters, jeans, tops, two dresses (one long and one long sleeved) and a pair of boots in anticipation of the chilly weather. I normally don't buy a bunch of clothes all at once but this year ALL of my long sleeves and sweaters were looking a bit raggedy (Forever 21 doesn't last long, and in this case 5 years was pushing it), and spending time in cities where it actually gets cold means I want to be prepared, while also keeping in mind that I do live in Texas. 😄

The Fall of my dreams = NOT the Fall of my reality! Ha! (Source)

In case anyone's interested in my finds, I'll share some of what I got below. 😊

**Disclaimer** Most of what I got was on really good sale at the time and I'm not sure if anything is on sale now. Also, even though I'm linking the actual sites, some of what I found I was able to get on Poshmark for a REALLY good deal, which I'll note below. There's NO way I'd ever pay $175 for a dress. A bike part for sure, but not a dress. That's just crazy. 😜

Anthropologie

These 2 Anthro pieces I immediately fell in love with, but with Anthro being so dang expensive and me having no way to justify that, I happened to find one heck of a great deal for a brand new with tags in the bag dress, and this adorable top on Poshmark.

Lisette Embroidered Tunic Dress 

Anthropologie Striped Flutter Top 

No longer on the website, Poshmark only

Reformation

Reformation is another website with super cute but super expensive stuff, so I went to Ebay and got a GREAT price on a beautiful dress for Fall. Ebay and Poshmark are awesome for finding steals. This will be good with boots and a jean jacket.

Ellen Dress - Louisiana Print

American Eagle Outfitters

American Eagle has been my go-to for sweaters that actually stay together and don't pill up. I've had horrible history with stuff from Forever 21 and similar stores in the past looking cute and then pilling up or shrinking after one wash. I don't know about you but my clothes need to be able to survive a washing machine. I don't mind hanging dry but hand washing is a pain. I picked up a new pair of high waisted jeggings to replace an old worn out pair of mine with a broken zipper and two cute sweaters.

AE Ne(X)t Level Super High-Waisted Jegging

Aerie Pullover Sweater

Don't Ask Why Mock Neck Side Lace Up Sweater

Zara

To me, Zara is a great place to go for basics that you want to last for a while. I love their fashion, even the more crazy stuff, and while some of it just isn't me or I can't see spending money on something I feel I'll only wear once (the money tree in our backyard has dropped it's "leaves" for fall LOL!), I love their hoodies and shirts. I ordered off the website and was really impressed with the quality of the clothes and speed of shipping. I did have to return something but luckily there's a store in my area.

RUCHED SWEATSHIRT

FLORAL PRINT BLOUSE WITH RUFFLES

T-SHIRT WITH KNOTTED FRONT

UNIF

UNIF was my splurge. I fell in love with this fun sweater after seeing it online, and I couldn't find a good deal anywhere. I wanted something completely unique and not mass produced, and that's what UNIF does. ❤

Frost Sweater

Poshmark

One last thing I got for the Fall time were some super cute combat boots. I had some from Target for years before they wore out, and I've been missing having some. I love pairing them with skinny jeans and any kind of top. The brand on these boots is Zara, but I found them at Poshmark brand new, from someone who got the wrong size.

Side note, don't ever get too small of a size in a shoe because they are really cute. Too much of that can cause ALL kinds of foot/bone problems. I love something cute, but don't mess around with your feet.

It worked out for me though because I got them for $150 off! How cute are these?? I LOVE the fuzzy tongues! ❤

Well, I think I'm ready for the cold weather, and I'm looking forward to finally having some new things to wear for the first time in a few years, and I know that these items will last longer than my past shopping tastes, so that's always a good feeling. Time this weekend to rearrange some things in my closet, and get the fall décor out!

What is you're favorite things to wear for fall? 

To Run Or Not To Run

Recently I spoke with a good friend who told me that she was thinking of pulling out of a marathon early next year. She was upset about it but she was busy, and things with family and work were moving along at such a break neck pace she didn't have any time to train for it, let alone take any time for herself. She felt badly about it, about the need to take on a little less and rearrange some items on her plate.

I'm no stranger to those feelings of guilt as well. I would get so caught up in doing really well at something I love that when it came time to make room for some other necessary life occurrences I felt like I was losing something. Like I couldn't handle things if I put something to the side for a minute. Riding my bike and running made me SO happy, not only to just get outside and do them but also because I could feel myself becoming better at something. I didn't want to lose that sense of pride and speed and strength that came along with the constant workouts.

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I realized that I needed to make time for other things in my life that could help me in the future, and I slowly came to the realization that while I needed to adjust my time accordingly, I still got to do what I loved. Not being able to go to as many races, both bike races and running, didn't make me any slower or mean I loved it any less than anyone else. It simply meant that I needed to take stock of the current situation and adjust. There will be other BMX and running races in the future, I just needed to train when I could and keep at it. I'm in it for the long haul, and I learned that to keep that longevity I did not need to burn myself out....again. Burn out is a WHOLE NOTHER blog lol!

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My advice to her was pretty much the same as the conclusion I came to in the past; rearrange some things to get what you need done, and when you get the time to do what you truly love, give it your all, and let it make you happy! Don't worry if you can't make a certain race because of time constraints, there will be another one. I hope this was the right advice, because I always want to give good advice, and it's something I live by as well. Anyways, enough adulting, I'm gonna go try to beat the rain later this evening and run faster than the mosquitos so they can't catch me! There will be bug spray involved as well 😌. You guys have a great Thursday!

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RUNderful Wednesday

The middle of the week is here, WOOHOO!!!! We've made it this far guys, so SMILE (even if the track is rained out like it is today, again). Le sigh. 

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: 

SPREAD POSITIVITY AND KINDNESS 😃

This last weekend I got to watch a movie/documentary that was so close to my heart as a kid, and has stuck with me into adulthood. Won't You Be My Neighbor is a documentary on Fred Rogers, better known to his 60's, 70's & 80's childhood fandom (of which I was definitely a fan) as Mr. Rogers. In a world full of really crappy children's TV programs, his was simple and stress free. He valued children and worked hard to spread the message of positivity and kindness, and just as important, adequacy and self love. As a kid I would start my mornings in an old rocking chair pulled close to our black and white rabbit eared TV, eyes glued to the screen and eager to learn whatever Mr. Rogers was teaching us that day.

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In a world full of judgement, bullies and trying to measure up, he always ended his program by telling his audience, "There's no person in the world like you - and I love you just the way you are." As simple as it was, that phrase made a lasting impact. In his shows he addressed topics such as racism, JFK's assassination in 1963, and a host of other topics not being broached on typical children's programming. If you think back to being a small child, being talked down to by adults might come up in your memories. I loved Mr. Rogers because he never did that, he taught, entertained and gave everyone a sense of value. I was driving back form a BMX race in Dallas when the radio announced his passing. I was sad, but also extremely grateful to have learned the lessons he taught. He helped shape how I saw the world and also myself, along with millions of other kids. Maybe you too?

I am also SUPER excited to learn about the movie coming out about him, and that one of my favorite actors, Tom Hanks, will be playing him. I don't know about you guys, but I will see you at the theatre on opening week! 😄

I think kindness to others, tolerance and self love is something we need to continue practicing throughout our lives, and that should also extend to social media. I choose to ignore hateful comments, useless drama and all the trolls out there, eager to make you feel as bad as they probably feel. Say or do something kind for someone else, but also do the same for yourself. You deserve it!

Marathon Training: 1st Speedbump

I can't believe my first marathon is coming up in January! All those last few years of thinking about it and knowing that I wasn't ready to commit to training for one seemed like forever ago, and now it's real and I couldn't be more excited (and nervous - let's not lie here lol!). For the marathon plan I'm following, I chose one for beginner runners who have about a year of running under their belt. While I'm not a beginner, I wanted to work more on hills, technique and speed and I feel that this plan will allow me to do that to a greater extent.

This week was a fail. 

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I got SOME miles in this week, but ended up not feeling very well this weekend and didn't run at all (this includes my long run). Since my training actually ends a few weeks before the actual marathon, I am giving this week an old-fashioned re-do (we all deserve a re-do every now and then, right?)😃.

The breakdown for week 3 (part 1) is as follows:

Monday 9/17: Rest Day

Tuesday 9/18: 3 Mi.

Wednesday 9/19: Rest Day

Thursday 9/20: 3.7 Mi.

Friday 9/21: Rest Day

Saturday 9/22: Not feeling good

Sunday 9/23: Not feeling good

RUNderful Wednesday

The middle of the week is here, WOOHOO!!!! We've made it this far guys, so SMILE (come on track, dry out, I want to ride already!)

Anyway, 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: 

We are only given what we can handle.

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There have been times in my life when I felt overwhelmed; I felt like I had too much on my plate and I had no idea how to handle it all. We all have from time to time. For me, freaking out was the first thing I did to handle the unknown. Please tell me I'm not the only one here. 😋

We live and we learn, right? What I learned was that freaking the heck out over something instead of keeping a level head and trying to solve the situation wasn't helping me solve my actual problem. I learned to rely on the strength within myself and to trust that I can accomplish whatever hard task is set before me; even if help is needed, I'll still throw everything I got at it! This is something that always needs practice, because as we grow the issues that arise are always different. Even trying to get to that next level in a run or race, weather that be a longer mileage or a faster track time, we are responsible for using our inner strength to accomplish those goals. 

And to that I say BRING IT ON! Who's with me? 💪😃

Marathon Trianing: Week 2

I can't believe my first marathon is coming up in January! All those last few years of thinking about it and knowing that I wasn't ready to commit to training for one seemed like forever ago, and now it's real and I couldn't be more excited (and nervous - let's not lie here lol!). For the marathon plan I'm following, I chose one for beginner runners who have about a year of running under their belt. While I'm not a beginner, I wanted to work more on hills, technique and speed and I feel that this plan will allow me to do that to a greater extent.

This was a tough week, but.....

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Week 2 went really well. My miles were low, at 17, for the week (Monday - Sunday) but I got in a great long run. With the rain there were no hills, and for some reason I did very little speed work, so that's something to strive for in my workout tomorrow. Week 2 breakdown went like this:

Monday 9/10: Rest Day

Tuesday 9/11: 3 Mi. in Bear Creek Park. This week was not a week I felt like running. Let's just say that cramps suck, okay? But I kept reminding myself that we don't get better by only working out when we want to, and I got out there and did it. In the end, I was really happy I did. No regerts. 

One of those, "I'm just lucky I got myself out the door" days. 

It felt great after though! 

Wednesday 9/12: Rest Day

Thursday 9/13: 3 Mi. in Bear Creek again. This isn't my favorite park because of the narrow path and the fact that no one likes to move over for anyone, making it tough to keep one line, but it's close and gorgeous so I'll take it. 😎 There are some other parks in the area, so might have to switch it up a bit. 

Friday 9/14: Rest Day

Saturday 9/15: 4 Mi. at the park. I've been doing really well not going to the gym lately lol! I wasn't feeling all that awesome, so after the run I cleaned up and laid back down for a while. 

"Long hair don't care" issues lol! 

Sunday 9/16: 7 Mi. long slow distance on the paved trail. The first two miles sucked but once I got into it I was good to go. I was so thankful to have my running water bottle on me! 

It was freakin' HOT (but fun, always fun) 😊.

Couldn't ask for a more beautiful day after all this rain we've been having!

Rainy Season

Houston, rainy season is upon us! I learned my lesson about September/October races a few years ago when I signed up for the Houston Half Marathon with friends. Training was going great, the weather was becoming a touch cooler, and the theme song from Rocky was on loop in my head as I successfully completed my long runs and followed that up with a long shower and some homemade pancakes. Then, the day before the event, rain. Rain everywhere. It rained so much that not only did they have to cancel the race, but cars couldn't even drive down into that area. Don't get me started about how some runners took to the Facebook race page complaining about not getting their medal. Why anyone would want a medal for a race they haven't run is beyond me. Needing to be in possession of a trophy at all to feel good is just strange. It doesn't mean you are any faster, slower, etc. Anyway, back to the weather. it rained cats and dogs ALL day Dwight Schrute. 

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It's been raining so much in our area that cross training has become even more essential. The BMX tracks have been waterlogged for a month +, but luckily I have been able to get outdoors for a some good runs between bouts of rain. It led to some beautiful sky views, but keep in mind, if you are running around any standing water, do spray yourself liberally with bug spray. It's so much nicer if you have to stop for a water break, etc. I have been loving the Avon Skin So Soft kind, it really stays on and it doesn't smell bad. I do have an issue with the screw top on my bottle leaking if turned over, but I think the bottle is just defective. 

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I have been sticking to the pavement and have really been missing my weekly trail runs. I have been planning a few runs on some dirt trails in the area I've never tired before, so as soon as the ground is hard again I'm going over there. My brother is into riding mountain bikes, so I find out about the trails from him, and also for the All Trails app, which is pretty cool. 100 Acre Wood, here I come! 

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Since today is a rest day mileage wise, and a cross training day that I can do at home, I'd say I'm in pretty good shape. I like running in the rain some days more than others, and today is a dry day. Tomorrow may be a different matter! 

What's your favorite thing about a rainy day? 

Why I'm Not A Fashion Blogger

I love a good fashion blog every once in a while; they serve two purposes in my life:

1.) They make me feel "happy" and "blessed" and all those positive words put on Pinterest-y home décor, and inspire me in my daily search for that super cute outfit that just screams, "OMG let me take a million pictures of you - you look so TUMBLR!!!" Snap! Snap! Snap!

and

2.) Depending on the day, I feel like a naughty red-faced kid in Catholic school about to receive the reward of a  well aimed slap on the wrist by a nun holding a ruler (do they DO that anymore?? According to my father, it hurt - ALOT).

Workin it. 

Top secret trick: The best time to take photos is after 5 mile runs. 

No, really. 😂

That said, I like fashion blogs, and fashion bloggers, and anyone who aims to have perfectly coiffed hair everyday and to match their nails to their purses. I love fashion as much as the next girl (or guy), but the challenge of rolling out of bed and matching everyday feels harder than successfully finishing the entire course of American Ninja Warrior, including the fire thing at the end - that's the hair curler to top everything off.

In my spare time I do two things really well: run far and practice going fast on my bike. Neither of these two hobbies inspire the need to curl and foundation and lipstick and skirt it up. Usually if I'm lucky after all that working out, my legs get a good shave, my hair gets a deep conditioning mask with ample time to dry before bed (many times not), and I get to put on whatever Korean or Lush face mask I picked up the previous weekend. The outfit for the day, or OOTD, for all you You Tube, hashtag and fashion savvy readers out there, usually consists of similar things in different colors and patterns.

I tried though, I really really did.

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I got lucky with BMX because my team dictates my uniform, and luckily my team manager Bryan has REALLY good taste, so that's one issue off the table. When I first began running though, waaaay in the beginning, all my outfits matched. They were pink and cute and even had pink shoes to go with them, and my double French braids were always on point. How adorable!! However, as time rolled by and the need to shop for more outfits became necessary, I matched less and less. Wah wah wahhhh. Fashion police - come at me. I need to find a running fashion blogger - do they even have those online?

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Fashion is fun, and well, trying is half the battle. I am going to be rocking my mismatching racewear with confidence, and hey, if it looks really weird I'll just run fast and no one will notice. Even though I will never be that "put together" to enter even the outside realm of the fashion blogger wormhole, I'm going to have a TON of fun picking out new clothes to wear on race day! 😃😝

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What's your favorite fashion-fail running outfit? 

Marathon Training: Week 1

I can't believe my first marathon is coming up in January! All those last few years of thinking about it and knowing that I wasn't ready to commit to training for one seemed like forever ago, and now it's real and I couldn't be more excited (and nervous - let's not lie here lol!). For the marathon plan I'm following, I chose one for beginner runners who have about a year of running under their belt. While I'm not a beginner, I wanted to work more on hills, technique and speed and I feel that this plan will allow me to do that to a greater extent.

Week 1 went really well. My miles were low, at 16, for the week (Monday - Sunday) but I got in some really hot humid weather running, as well as hills and speed work so my legs definitely felt it. The breakdown goes like this:

Monday 9/3: Rest Day

Tuesday 9/4: 3 miles at the park with my favorite shoes that always make me smile 😊

Wednesday: Rest Day (a.k.a. house chores and nail day 😃)

Thursday: 4 miles at the park

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: 4 really hot hilly miles and speedwork with Tiffany! She is such an inspiration and really fast! She rocks!

Our start and end point - near downtown

SO much sass! 

I'm so thankful to have this girl as a friend

Sunday: 5 miles LSD at the park

And that's a wrap! See you at the track tonight! And please please PLEASE stop raining soon.

RUNderful Wednesday & Story Time

The middle of the week is here, WOOHOO!!!! We've made it this far guys, so SMILE (even if the track is rained out like it is today). 

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: (keep reading below for the story time)

NO JUDGEMENTS 😃

I feel like I'm still recovering from my last trip over Labor Day weekend, flying to Kansas City to spend some time with my boyfriend and his friends. We had so much fun just hanging out, finding a new (to me) Dim Sum place to try, watching football (or in my case, playing with the tiny Pug because no me gusta) with his friends and running all around downtown KC. But for all that fun, Labor Day was a rainy day in the Houston area, and I rested up and spent most of it binge watching the rest of Orange Is the New Black. Ahh, good memories. 

The reason I like this quote so much has nothing to do with this weekend though and everything to do with a recent unexpected encounter with an old friend (I won't say her name here). I was out running a few weeks ago at one of my favorite park trails when I ran into (yep, pun intended 😈) someone who until this year had been one of my good friends. I had distanced myself from her for very good reason, and until that day a few weeks ago thought I'd never see her again, ever. 

She hates apologizing for something and prefers to 1.) pretend that whatever it is never happened and when that won't work 2.) leave and make new friends. 

Aside from feeling really awkward, our conversation standing there off to the side of the trail was a nice one, and I was glad to see that she looked a lot happier. She told me about how great she was doing and what new high end brand names she had purchased (I didn't ask, but she has always really loved name brands). 

She asked why I was at that park, a strange question considering it's in my home city. She then told me that she isn't competitive about running anymore and that she only runs for fun. This is when it got (more) awkward. She tried to sneak a peek at my paused Garmin, and finally asked me what mile time I was at. All this from someone "non-competitive" concern from someone who had chosen not to be a friend for over a year. 

I was shocked and sort of stammered my time, then she began asking about another friend of mine, J's, time as well. I should have made something up and said that J was now racking up 7 minute miles during marathons and ultra marathons, but I was so taken back by her sudden need to measure herself up to not only myself, but another girl who wasn't even with me that day, that I hardly said much. All this from someone who, 5 minutes prior, was going on and on about how non-competitive she is. 

We said our goodbye's and continued running our opposite ways. I genuinely am glad she seems so much happier than she was. After a bit more thinking and running I realized that she hadn't changed much from the person I'd known, among other things being super competitive and always comparing herself to others, needing to feel the prettiest, or the fastest, or whatever. Being competitive for me doesn't mean I am comparing myself to others. Runners are runners. Of course I try to get faster, but faster for me and MY time, not anyone else's. There is always going to be someone faster or stronger or more whatever than you are, but it doesn't mean you aren't fast, or strong, or smart, or pretty...

SO to the three people out there who probably read this blog: 

Never compare yourself with anyone else, just do your best to be your BEST self, because you're AWESOME and you ROCK! Also, surround yourself with people who do the same. Life is way too short to compare yourself to others.👌😺