Healthy Living - It's more than numbers.

April 2009

April 2013

I was just looking back at an old post from 2012, when I first ran the Run for Our Heroes. I was just starting to get into a healthy lifestyle, but had a long ways to go. I didn't crave running like I do today. I didn't watch what I eat as much (Although, I really don't watch what I eat... I just use common sense, balance and portion control. I also just ate two chocolates...)

I've never been overweight if you just look at the number on the scale, but jeez louise, look at those two pictures. Four years older, probably only ten pounds lighter, but the difference is insane. I'm so grateful for running, pilates, yoga and this lifestyle I have found!

Run for our Heroes

Happy Monday, kiddos! How was your weekend?

On Saturday, I participated in the "Run for our Heroes," a 5k downtown to honor Raleigh's fallen police officers. It's one of my favorite 5ks and this is the third year I've done it. 

This year I was lucky enough to have my friend Emily run it with me! She hasn't been running and managed to run the entire time without walking! She finished in just under 36 minutes and I'm so proud of her. I know there is no way I could run an entire 5k without having some sort of running base. She is a rock star!

And... I PRed! Y'all know I am super super slow so this time will not impress anyone but me - I finished in 30:39 (an average pace of 9:51 - whoa!!) I'm actually claiming a few seconds faster because I could not get out of the crowd to start. (Maybe I would have gotten sub-30?) I kept looking at my Garmin and getting frustrated when it showed a 14:00 pace. Disperse, crowd! Homegirl is trying to PR!

I definitely pushed myself, but I'm so glad I did.

Take me back.

Just received the most depressing email ever.

Dear Lindsay,

At the five year anniversary of receiving your bachelor's degree from Carolina, we are very interested in your reflections and feedback about how well the University prepared you for your career, graduate education, and other pursuits.  Your participation in a brief survey will give us valuable information that we will use to continue to enhance the undergraduate experience at Carolina.


I want to respond with, "You didn't prepare me for the lack of sunny days spent lounging in the quad or inform me of the fact that on the first nice day of spring you can't just blow off everything and go to Bob's or tell me that I'd actually MISS sitting in class." TAKE ME BACK.

On Getting Stuck in a Rut

Let me start this with a disclaimer. I'm totally in love with my life. I am lucky to be surrounded by the most amazing people. I love my  job. I love my little neighborhood and my little house. I love Raleigh. I am beyond blessed.

That being said, everyone can get into a rut. Each day can seem sort of the same and while the same might not be bad (or pretty darn good, actually), sometimes it's nice to change things up. As a girl who loves (craves, needs) routine, changing things up isn't usually in my vocabulary.

Today's Monday Meditation from Live Simply by Annie got me thinking about the little things I can do to shake things up. The things that don't break the bank and don't make this routine-oriented girl step too far out of her comfort zone (a little bit is okay). Here are some of my initial thoughts.

• Make a new dish
• Buy flowers 
• Plant a garden
• Volunteer
• Think of something kind to do for every person I care about
• Find a new running route (maybe a trail?)
• Train for something
• Take a day trip

What do y'all do when you feel like you're in a rut? I wanna know!

Life Lately...

Cake from my Uncle Sammy's 60th!

With my cousins, Emmy and Jack

With Jack 

Mom and me. I love this.

The birthday boy. Check out that tshirt!

AMAZING baked chiles relleno egg dish with chorizo. Took some work to roast and peel the poblanos, but so.worth.it.

Green smoothie

Hobbesy! Look how big he's getting. Love him to pieces.

Dead Garmin. I will run a 5K in less than 30, I will, I will.

Prayers, prayers, prayers for Boston.

Need some perspective?

Read this. But grab the tissues first.

(Sappy post read editor's note: Lots of love and hugs to everyone who reads this and everyone who doesn't. You all make my world go round and I really do feel like the luckiest girl in the world.)

Speed work

Last night the plan was for me to complete my first tempo run. A tempo run usually includes a warm up at your normal pace, a middle period of running at a harder (but not sprinting) pace than your normal and a cool down. A good guide is to make your tempo pace about 30 to 40 seconds faster than your normal pace - it should be hard, but not a serious struggle.

Anyway, my Garmin wasn't charged (seriously, how did I live before that thing) so that made tracking my pace pretty hard. I know the exact distance of one quick route by my house - it's 1.2 miles. I decided to just run that at a harder than normal pace and time it with the stopwatch on my iPod.

When I got home, I checked the stopwatch and I clocked in at an 10:24, which is about an 8.5 minute mile. You have to understand, my normal pace is slowww. Like a 10.5 minute mile or slower. I was so proud of myself, I almost cried! (For what it's worth, an 8.5 minute mile is probably more like a sprint for me than a tempo run. A tempo run for me would be 10 minute miles or a little under)

Also, for the record, it was insanely hard. Way harder than running 3 + miles at my normal pace. I was out of breath and felt my legs use different muscles than they normally use.

I'm so glad I tried something different and surprised myself. I plan to incorporate more speed work in the future!

Do you incorporate any sort of speed work in to your running? 

It's the Little Things

Like...

Homemade butterscotch chip cookie dough (more dough was had than cookies were baked)

A fat stack of my favorite simple pleasure

This being a "day at the office"

The fact that after a weekend full of pink eye (and therefore missing out on Easter celebrations with family) my last day off was a sunny one where I could lay out

Maybe I should have put that sunscreen somewhere other than just my face huh? 

The fact that our coach says "smh"

this text from my cousin in which an app told him he looks like Beyonce Knowles

my car hitting 78k! Here's to 78k more!

Cake batter froyo with...

this little (actually, big!) guy

the fact that the cashier spelled my name right without asking. I almost hugged her.

Po

Disclaimer: I meant to post this last week, but lost it in my drafts! Po's surgery went well and she is currently in rehab.

Y'all remember me mentioning Po on here once or twice, right? Po is my grandmother (dad's mom) and she is ridiculously awesome. Here she is:

Po is super stylish, loves "to party" with a vodka martini  (her words, not mine) and has a pretty awesome southern accent. Po is actually who taught me how to play drinking badminton, but I digress. 

Yesterday after a physical therapy session, Po fell and broke her leg. She is scheduled to have surgery today. This post isn't for sympathy (but prayers are always appreciated), but to tell you how I found her when I got to the emergency room.

Po was obviously in a ton of pain, which broke my heart, but she had on some fierce hot pink lipstick, her hair had been done that morning (she goes every Thursday) and next to her bed was a monogram red clutch with tortoise shell wristlet that I am supremely jealous of in a serious way. Po knows style.