All Over the Place Run

Last night I went on a quick two mile run (I know, I didn't follow my schedule, but it all evens out). I was seriously debating it because the weather was iffy, but I have this weird phobia that if I wait too long between runs I will lose all of my conditioning and won't be able to run a quarter mile. It had been six days since my last run, so I threw on my tights and Carolina sweatshirt (ALWAYS a proud Tar Heel despite Sunday's loss) and headed out down Whitaker Mill.

The run itself was a good one, but my pace was ALL OVER THE PLACE. Seriously. I could not settle in at a normal steady pace. At one point, I looked down at my Garmin and it was at a 13:00 pace! 13:00?!? Was I walking?! And I didn't even feel like I was going slow. A few minutes later I looked down and I was at a 7:10 pace! 7:10?! For me that is unheard of, seriously.

It all evened out to about 10:00 miles, but what a weird run!

Worrrrkkkkk

This week's workout plan (roughly):
Monday: pilates, weights
Tuesday: run
Wednesday: pilates, weights
Thursday: rest
Friday: run (hills at the lake, yikes)
Saturday: run (hills at the lake, yikes)
Sunday: rest

Feeling...

... so incredibly blessed on this dreary Monday morning. Make it a great week, y'all.

Photo Catch-Up Sesh

Let's do a photo catch-up sesh, shall we? Things have been crazy busy in the most awesome way with work, social, working out, everything. Here's a brief review of some of it. I'll be back soon to chat more.

Things I Wish I Knew About Running Before I Started Running

...from someone who still probably shouldn't call herself a runner and runs slower than Christmas and is only in the 5K range...

• Pace matters. You may think the difference between an 11 min/mile and a 10 min/mile is nothing (I told you, we're talking really slow here), but it is something. In order to increase your distance, you're going to have to run slow. Like way slower than you want. Like "Oh hey, is that someone in a walker passing me right there?" slow. 
• Faster runs are good too. Just don't get frustrated when you end up burning out pretty quickly. It's all part of the process. Fast runs, at least initially, equal short runs.
• Running is so, so, so, so, so mental. In good ways in bad. Mental in that you have to go on a run when you're stressed and you come back feeling a thousand times lighter and mental in that you don't think you can make it five more feet without your legs falling off or your lungs catching on fire, but you press on. 
• You are not going to come back from every run happy. Sorry to burst that bubble. It's true I've never regretted a run. My theory is even five minutes of running is better than sitting on the couch. But, I definitely have not come back from every run happy. Bad runs ARE REALLY BAD. Maybe y'all are stronger than me, but as you've read, I tend to have breakdowns in the middle/after a bad run and question what's wrong with me. Hopefully y'all won't do that, but don't expect every run to be amazing. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer here.
• On the plus side, good runs ARE REALLY GOOD. Runner's high is a real thing.
• As far as temperatures go, I'm a baby. My minimum is mid-40s. I'm always freezing when I go out there, but as soon as I run one minute I warm up. Also, runs when it is really hot are miserable.
• Sunset is a really cool time to run. I'm sure sunrise is too, but this girl doesn't see that unless it involves prepping for a tailgate (priorities, people!). Last night, I set out on a run without a real route in mind. I ended up seeing the sunset on the skyline of Raleigh. Really cool and distracted me for a few minutes.
• Running is never easy. Well, I'm sure it is for some people, but if you're like me, it's not. Even short runs are hard for me. Some are easier than others, but I have never come back from any run of any distance and said, "Wooo, that was a piece of cake, I wish it could have been harder."
• It's worth it. As hard as it is and as mentally challenging as it can be, it's so worth it. It's also addicting. I run a short run even when I don't want to for fear of losing the little base I've built up. (Maybe that's also my OCD, control everything personality. Not sure.)

Sorry for the random post today, but I feel like so many running posts come from people who run marathons on the reg and who laugh in the face of a 5k. If that's you, you are SO AWESOME and should probably find another blog to read because I don't think that will ever be me and obviously, I should be learning from you, not vice versa. For the rest of you who are just getting into running or don't regularly run a batrillion miles a day, maybe these can be helpful. 

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.

Guide to Raleigh/The Triangle/The South

As I mentioned yesterday, my best friend is moving to Raleigh Saturday (insert jump in the air heel click, please)!

Now, I know Emily from the South. She went to elementary school with me for two years (homegirl stole my crayons - I was not a fan) and moved in eighth grade. She's no stranger to the South, but she spent many of those important formative years (what lip gloss do I wear today? does that boy like me? are you going to the football game tomorrow night?) in Ohio, which I have learned is a completely different world.

Ohio is cold and midwestern-y and just different than Raleigh. Accordingly, I've created a little guide to Raleigh/The Triangle/The South for Emily or any others that find themselves relocated to the Land of the Pines!

• Apparently people outside of the South don't say "y'all." I don't even think twice about saying it, so you should probably incorporate it in your vocab.
• Carolina, State or Duke. You have to pick a team. (And pick Carolina). 
• On a similar note, fall = football season and winter = basketball season. EVERYONE you know will be at their school of choice's football game every Saturday in the fall. (Side note: elaborate tailgates will be planned - mine include hydrangeas, corn hole and gourmet food - and fancy clothes will be worn.) EVERYONE you know will watch their school of choice's basketball games in winter. During March Madness people will call out of work. Those that do go to work will have the games streaming on their computers and that's expected. Children will watch the games on TVs in their classrooms.
• ITB/OTB. (Inside the Beltline/Outside the Beltline). Opinions on these depend on who you ask and how long they've been in Raleigh. Generally speaking, ITB is more expensive real estate. OTB used to be considered the boonies, but now it's nothing at all and you can get more property/land for your buck. I'll leave it at that. If you know me, you know where my heart lies. :) 
• Chapel Hill is the most beautiful place on Earth. When God created the world, he shined a special light on that city.  (I'm not biased.)
• Downtown Raleigh has gone through a huge renaissance in the last few years. It now has incredible restaurants, bars, etc. It's a fun place to be.
• Emily's favorite thing about the South is Sweetwater Blueberry beer. I'm not a beer person, but if you're moving here, we have this in most bars. I guess that's kind of exciting for y'all?
• No one here knows what Chili Mac is. I know this from a conversation I had last week in which I was the only person who know about it because of Emily. 
• We have an awesome greenway system. If you're a runner/walker/biker, you'll love it. 
• When we say "let's cook out," "let's have a cookout!" or "let's grill out," that would be the your equivalent of "let's bbq" or "let's have a bbq." Down here, BBQ means pulled pork served in a vinegar based sauce. (Check out the Pit!)
• Snow/ice/any wintery event is a big deal here. On Monday, most of our schools had a three hour delay because there was a tiny chance of freezing rain. There was no precipitation. Like, not a drop. We know we don't drive well in the snow, sorry in advance.
• Alcohol. We have state run ABC stores here where you can purchase liquor. Generally they are open Monday - Saturday until 9 p.m. They are closed Sunday (as are many things in the South). Beer and  wine are sold at grocery stores and can be bought any day of the week, but only after 12 on Sundays. Similarly, restaurants can only serve alcohol after 12 on Sunday so plan your brunch accordingly.
• Popular brunch items include grits and biscuits and gravy.

Help me keep this list going. What other pieces of wisdom can you bestow upon Emily and other relocated Yankees/Midwesterners?

Exercise - It's Still Around

I was looking back over the blog and realized that I haven't blogged about exercising much lately. I'm not sure why - I promise, I've still been doing it.

Most of my weeks have consisted of some schedule similar to this:

• one or two three mile outdoor runs
• one interval training treadmill run
• one hot yoga class
• one or two pilates classes

I've been really loving the variety I have going lately. In the next few weeks I want to get my mileage up slightly (just around 3.5 or so) and increase the speeds on my interval runs. I've been loving hot yoga at a new-to-me studio. I've just stuck to the gentle so far, but I really think I may just be a gentle yoga kind of girl. I love working all of my muscles hard in pilates and then stretching them out in yoga. Also, today I'm starting a new weekly yoga class at church that goes for ten weeks. 

Just wanted to give you a quick update and let you know there is still exercise in my life! What workouts have y'all been doing? I'm always looking for new ones, so share, please!

Charlotte, Train Disasters and Exciting News!

Happy Monday, y'all. We had some snow and ice at the end of last week and I was out of town for the weekend, so here are some updates.

1. I made this awesome creamy quinoa with sauteed veggies and andoiulle chicken sausage last week. I'm already planning on making it again this week.

2. My mom stumbled across this picture of my sweet baby boy, Tucker, as a baby. Try not to say "aww!"

3. Thursday was for hot yoga. My hair looks super cool after.

4. This weekend I headed to Charlotte to visit MG. I took the train which was fine on the way there. We'll get to the way back. Anyway, I was super proud that I fit a weekend's necessities into this bag.

5. Saturday before the Carolina vs. State game that I'm now pretending didn't happen, I found myself eating cheese and drinking wine. I am such a Carolina fan stereotype.

6. Post-game. The boys have this ridiculous group message (I swear, they text more than ANY girl I know) and they were all sending pictures after the game. They are all State fans. They all suck. We sent them this one in return.

7. The train ride home. Oh goodness. We left on time at 5:15 and were scheduled to get into Raleigh at 8:20. The train stopped at about 5:34. Not a scheduled stop. We eventually found out we hit a person and killed him. The police came and the power went out and it was all really unsettling. We made it to Raleigh at about 12:30. This was where we were for three plus hours.

And here is my face.

And here is the news article.

8. My best friend Emily was in town for an interview (more on that in a minute) and was scheduled to pick me up at 8:20. She toughed it out and picked me up at 12:30. Best friends are the best.

9. Emily's interview went so well and she was OFFERED THE JOB. She starts in exactly ONE WEEK! I can't believe that my best friend is finally moving South again. This is good for my soul and probably bad for our wine consumption/the city of Raleigh. Love you, Em!!

Photo Catch Up

Love this glass! (Although I feel like people in Texas probably say "y'all" too.

Mountain weekend! We arrived to a crazy snow covered driveway that none of the cars could get up, so the boys got to shoveling!

Who needs a cooler?

MG ready to snowboard.

Mexican night at the mountains.

Joe sneak attacked this picture. I really think I am explaining the difference between stuffing and dressing here. It gets me really worked up because apparently I'm the only person on the planet who says "dressing." 

Hair

I finally got my hair cut! I've been going back and forth about it for a solid two months. I really like it long, but the ends were gross. I also ended up getting highlights, so I spent way more money than I intended to, but as my mom says, "You wear your hair every day!"

Before. That face was for the gross ends. 

And after. With supermodel curls that I will never be able to recreate. 

More of the color. 

And today straight. How it will be worn most days (when it's not in a ponytail, ha!) because homegirl has no hair skillz whatsoever.

 Do y'all think it's too light? Wait, scratch that. Lie to me if you do. 

My 'Hood

I'm sort of obsessed with my neighborhood.

It's this weird combination of young professionals/hipsters/redone bungalows that now sell for $500,000+/families/older chatty people at the church nearby/you name it, we have it. In a word, it's perfect.

(I jest, but there really are a lot of hipsters. And now I eat kale. I fear what hipster tendencies I will have acquired in another year.)

I'm in an older bungalow (not one of the ones that is redone and would sell for $500,000+ ha!) and I love to sit on the front porch and people watch. People are constantly out walking, running, grilling, playing and biking. We have a little area with great coffee shops, a delish pizza place, a yummy brunch spot and cute antique shops all within a few minutes walk.

This morning I was taking my Christmas tree to the street (yeah, I'm a little late, I know) and a woman who was power-walking stopped to tell me, "killer shoes, girlfriend!" It made me smile as I got in my car for work.

On the way to work, I started thinking about how much my neighborhood reminds me of a microcosm of my favorite place on earth, Chapel Hill. (Side note: I'm not sure if anything can be a microcosm of such an already small place, but you get my drift). Both have amazing things in walking distance, everyone is always playing outside and both have the most random, eclectic, friendly group of people you've ever seen.

I'm such a lucky girl to have both places hold such big parts of my heart.

Photo Bomb

LOVING my new print. It's a map of Chapel Hill!

Dress that I got for NYE, ,but did not wear.

Enjoying Charlotte with wine and MG's thumbs up!

NYE Eve manicure.

Best part of NYE? Late night 90's party. MG is so into whatever song we were singing and I look like the happiest girl in the world.

This is the January cover page in my planner. Anorexia much? 

Adore my new Tortoise Shell glasses.

This week's weather forecast. 70s in January? I'm definitely on board.