Running Plateau

Have any of you runners out there ever hit a running plateau? I've been running 2-3 times a week 2-3 miles a time for a few months now and it does not seem to be getting any easier. In fact, some days it feels harder than before. I don't know if this is a nutrition thing, a mental roadblock or something else. Advice?!

Photo Catch Up

Best.Valentine's.Present.Ever. I know this seems so random to most of you, but there is a smushy story behind it that will make you say "Aww" and made me cry tears of joy. 

This picture brings me so much joy. Two huge parts of my heart so incredibly happy. 

Another part of my heart. Love you, La!

Me nervous about driving in the snow to the Carolina game with Dad. (I'm a baby when it comes to snow).

My Tigers almost pulled it out. 

What I saw when I woke up this morning. Seriously??

Grateful for His word today. Needed this.

Game Day!

Tonight, Carolina plays Duke at Duke. It's always a tough game, but this is definitely not our best season. Regardless, I'm keeping the faith and hoping for a huge upset.

God bless Franklin Street.
God bless the quad on a sunny day.
God bless Lucy's (may she rest in peace).
God bless lazy afternoons.
God bless the Dean Dome.
God bless Kenan Stadium.
God bless the town that owns my heart.
God bless them Tar Heel boys.

Let's do this, Heels!!

(As for my plans, I thought I'd be as stereotypical as possible. Emily is coming over and we are going to have a wine and cheese party. And by party I mean we are going to drink wine and eat cheese in our pajamas while we cheer our hearts out. I know many people hate the 'wine and cheese' label, but I embrace it. I love wine and cheese.)

40 Acts of Kindness

Happy Fat Tuesday, kiddos! Since today is Fat Tuesday, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Are you giving up anything for Lent?

Growing up, I never really practiced giving up anything. I'm Christian (Presbyterian), but most of the people I know who gave up things were Catholic. Is that typical or was it just a coincidence with people I know? My stepmom always gave up stuff when I was younger and Marcus has since I've known him (this year he's giving up carbs - color me NOT JEALOUS and probably not prepared for his jealousy as I eat my Goodberry's or mashed potatoes) and both are Catholic.

Instead of giving up something, I'm going to add something during Lent. For forty days, I will practice forty acts of kindness, one each day. These don't have to be life-changing acts, but just acts from the heart. Emily is going to get in on the action, too. Emily planned on doing this near Christmas and never got around to it, so she has a list with some ideas to get us started.

Join us if you want (or tell me what you're doing, if anything, for Lent) or leave us an idea for an act of kindness in the comments!

Healthy Living Survey

Got this fun survey from one of my favorite bloggers, Christina over at Hungry Meets Healthy!

1. What did you eat for breakfast? Toasted English muffin with cheese and a million and twelve blackberries. I'm on a fruit kick.

2. How much water do you drink a day? A lot, especially when I'm at work. I fill up my Carolina Tervis Tumbler non-stop.

3. What is your current favorite workout? Running and I are kind of fighting right now. My last couple of runs have been struggleville and I'm sort of being a baby about it. I'm going to really clean up my eating and see if that helps, but in the meantime probably Pilates. 

That's me on the right doing long spine!

4. How many calories do you eat daily? I have no idea. I don't count calories. My guess is it varies a lot from day to day.

5. Favorite healthy snacks: Blue diamond flavored almonds (love the wasabi/soy and bbq habenero), fruit

6. What do you usually eat for lunch? If I have the time to go home for lunch, I usually eat leftovers from the night before. These days, I'm squeezing in a couple of lunchtime workouts and pack my lunch. Today I packed a mixed greens salad with cracked pepper turkey, veggies, boursin and a homemade vinaigrette. 

7. What is your favorite body part to strength train? Abs. Hurts so good. And arms for results. 

8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train? Arms. I know I said they are my favorite (because I can see definition in them pretty quickly), but my arms are so weak that arms are definitely the most painful part of my workout.

9. What are your ‘bad’ food cravings? Ice cream. Cheese. Bread. Wine. I eat everything.

10. Do you take vitamins or supplements? Yep. I take a chewy multi (Flintstones Kids to be exact...sorry I'm not sorry), Biotin (for my crazy thin hair) and fish oil. Literally as of this morning I started taking a B Complex vitamin.

11. How often do you eat out? Not a lot. I love love love food, so I like to save my going out dollars for nicer places that feel like a treat. Otherwise, I'd rather cook at home.

12. Do you eat fast food? Not really. Does Jersey Mikes count? 

13. Who is your biggest supporter? My mom (always!), my brother and Marcus Scott.

14. Do you have a gym membership? Nope! Go to a Pilates studio and an occasional yoga studio, though.

15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night? A lot. Homegirl requires way too much sleep. I hate it because I'd rather be super productive or making memories or whatev (FOMO), but I'm useless the day after no sleep.

16. Do you have a ‘cheat’ day? No, because I don't restrict myself. I try not to go crazy, but I'm not a big fan of restriction.

17. Do you drink alcohol? Yep. I'm mostly a wine girl, occasionally a liquor girl and only a beer girl in the sun on game days. 

18. Do you have a workout buddy? My mom! Our current schedule includes running, pilates and yoga. My mom is pretty much a rockstar. 

19. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a Healthy Lifestyle? Funny you ask! My friend Maggie recently showed us some old pictures from a party at the boys' house in 2009. I looked awful! Like, I'm not being humble. I had a GUT. And I know what my heaviest weight was ever, and it's only about 10 lbs or less more than I weigh today. But since I've made exercise part of my routine, my body shape has changed dramatically, even though my weight hasn't. 

20. What is the last healthy thing you did? I went on a run yesterday. It was awful, but it was better than sitting on the couch.

Runner

I have never considered myself a runner. For 99 percent of my life, I despised running. My mom always ran and always tried to get me to join her, but I was much more comfortable on the couch. The little running I did was up and down the court during basketball season, and honestly, I did just enough to get by. I wasn't fast or strong or in great shape, but I could manage to get down the court, set up for a jump shot or drive to the basket. That seemed like enough then.

For the past couple of years, I've run more than I ever have. Which, is to most, not a lot. These days I usually run 2 or 3 times a week (in combination with my yoga, pilates, etc). I usually run around three miles, and, even after all this time, it is never easy for me. I don't think running will ever be easy for me, but I love the feeling after I'm done and I love pushing myself.

Last night, however, was a different story. Mom and I headed out on a new route and I felt tired probably halfway into the run. I had to stop and walk. I haven't stopped and walked in a very long time. I felt so defeated. So defeated, in fact, that soon I felt tears coming down my face.

Wait, what???

The girl who didn't care about running had tears running down her face from a bad run?? In the past I would have been impressed that I had run at all and I would have brushed it off and walked the rest of the way. Last night I fought back tears and started running again. It was not easy. Whether I was dehydrated, hadn't fueled properly or my legs were tired from my lunch time pilates class, this run kicked my butt.

Now, I realize there are a lot of things in the world more worthy of tears than a bad run (like, the Bachelor and Carolina basketball losses), and I really do need to keep things in perspective  but in a way, I'm grateful for that bad run. Old Lindsay would not have cared that she had to stop and walk. Current Lindsay had a mini-breakdown in the middle of White Oak Rd. The fact that I cared so much makes me think I may in fact be... wait for it... an actual runner.

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours. It is an amazing journey, and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.”

- Bob Moawad 

On Friday, my great uncle died.

I wasn't particularly close to him and it wasn't a huge surprise (he had some rather unhealthy habits he refused to change), but it definitely served as a reminder of how precious life is. He was 57 years old.

A lot of cliche stuff came to my mind and then it made me think that cliches are cliches for a reason and we should really stop being so hard on them.

Take care of yourselves. Be healthy and happy.

Appreciate each day and don't take anything too seriously.

People are so freaking amazing. I forget that far too often.

I'm sure you love someone, but treat them that way.

Tell them every day how they make your heart turn to smush

or how you are so grateful that they take the time every night to run with you at your glacial pace because you just love to be with them

or how you love that they refuse to buy you a premium subscription to Inside Carolina so that they can tell you all about the latest news before you see it

or how cool it is they take the time to teach you guitar and make you study guides and tests

or that it makes your heart smile when they text you 'tape a cheetah to your back' and laugh with you when the commercial comes on even after 105 times.