|| 41 || .take time to do what makes your soul happy.

… I am jumping ahead – again – forgive me … but the gratitude challenge that was right after ‘family’ is a little too similar so I am going to spread it out!

As a full time working semi-new mom to an adorable little love bug I do not have a lot of time to myself.  In fact, Kyle used to tell me that I need to find a hobby since I think I was driving him a little crazy at times.

My hobbies currently include, but are not limited to:
1) running {alone or with the family}
2) FlyWheel {normally at 6:00 AM}
3) Pure Barre {normally at lunch}

…trend? Yeah. Working out. but I am insanely grateful for those activities/hobbies because they force me to take me time. Time for me to release a lot of stress. Time for me to think about what in the world I am doing with my life. I sometimes have epiphanies on the spin bike. I sometimes just blank out and think about nothing while at Pure Barre. I sometimes just need a good 45 minute run to “Rage the Night Away” to keep from breaking.

And sometimes the hobby includes my husband and little girl – but there really is nothing better than a family run on the Greenway on the weekends or a family 5K or 10K on a Saturday morning. I love celebrating with Kyle when his 5K finish time is faster than his last.  After years of running alone and racing alone I love having someone by my side and I am thankful that Kyle is healthy with me so we can set that example for little M.

Working out has not only become my hobby but it has also become my sanity.  I have found something that is good for me to lose myself in when I am questioning everything or beating myself up over work or just had a bad week or day.  Pounding the pavement or leaving it all on the bike really does clear my mind – even if it is just a temporary thing.

I am forever grateful for a good run. or a good pure barre class. or a good morning on the spin bike. the harder the workout the better. the harder the workout the more stress is lost. the harder the workout the more I think and get rid of the petty stupid things. and the best thing about those 3 hobbies of mine, no matter how long I am gone all 3 welcome me back with open arms [ and a swift kick in the butt ] and for that I am even more grateful.

always find time for the things that make you feel happy to be alive.

#purebarrechallenge update

I am now kicking off week #3 of the #purebarrechallenge – taking 20 classes in 31 days. And if I have not said this before: I was so happy this challenge happened because it has kicked my butt in gear for my last full month of baby bounce back.

I started off week #1 strong. And took 5 classes in 7 days. Super grateful my work schedule allowed me to escape for a little lift tone burn at lunch.  And I was able to sneak out of the house for a 9:00 AM Saturday session before life just got crazy.  My body was hurting by the end of that first week.

Week 2 was just as good to me, but even better because though my body hurt – it didn’t hurt as much.  but … I took another 5 classes this past week.  Again, my work schedule was fairly kind to me and allowed me to escape at lunch again.  Although, I did have to cancel Friday’s class last minute due to a last minute conference call. So, I should have had 6 classes in 7 days, but only got in my 5. Oh well.

So, I am 50% done. 10 classes down, 10 to go. And it is going to get difficult to sneak away at lunch to hit the studio. Which honestly, sucks. I have been finding that those middle of the day classes have been keeping me sane and tend to knock me out of a funk if I am in one. But… work is about to get crazy busy.  I am pretty confident that I will be able to get 5 classes in this week, 6 if I am lucky.  I think I can do it if I stick to the schedule I have set & there are no more last minute work things. Le Sigh. Wish me luck.

Are you doing the challenge?! If so, how are you feeling?! How many classes in are you?!

:: Weekend Round Up ::

Let me tell you.  Kyle and I lived.on.the.edge. this weekend.

:: Total scarcasm ::

it was too hot to breathe and function, I am legit ready for the fall.

:: Our Weekend Went Like This ::

Friday I didn't leave work till like 6:15 because I was busy cleaning up a franchise owner's background screening snafau. But then I went for drinks at the W in Midtown to celebrate my friend Tiffany's birthday so all was right in the world.

But, I was at home and in bed by like 10:30 that night. Again. Living.On.The.Edge.

Saturday we slept till like 10:30 AM. I am not ashamed. After my work week I needed it.

But then it was HOT HOT HOT like 104* HOT so we didn't leave the house {other than popping our head out the door to tell the dogs to shut their mouth and stop barking}

So I was on the couch all day reading Hunger Games and watching Lifetime and Bravo and E! ... you know killing brain cells with reality television.

Then Kyle randomly asked me if he could "take me on a date" and he took me to dinner. The romance lives on!!

Kyle also decided it is time for a new vacuum so we researched vacumms. I am pulling for a Dyson. Kyle doesn't want to spend that much money.  I just have to keep reminding him we have gift cards from the wedding!!!

I went to Pure Barre with my friend Afton. Followed by a manicure and pedicure. Quality girl time with a great friend. A much needed simple get out of the house afternoon.

And I had to go to Crate and Barrel to pick up something I ordered weeks ago. But it was too hot and I said nevermind.

And I read and finished the 1st Hunger Games book.  Now I have to anxiously wait for the other 2 to come in the mail.

I stalked Etsy and found things that I just had to have to decorate our house. For example THIS. I am in love with this bible verse. And I want it and I know exactly where I will put it should I chose to spend my allowance on it.

-----------

I am looking forward to the short week this week! {Not looking forward to having to be a manager and put one of the people who report to me on a performance plan...} I have to go update my name on my passport tomorrow and then I am 100% a Shanahan.  But I LOVE short weeks and knowing I can sleep in, but going back to work on Thursday will be odd.

total work out random-ness.

Total random work out thoughts.  Compiled over the course of some time...

• I am on a routine and I love my routine and since I cannot do part of my routine this week I feel lost.  But, it is dinner with my maid of honor so it is all okay!
• Legit :: I am beginning to really really enjoy Blast900 and Pure Barre.  I am sad that I will have to break up with my studios after the wedding is done and over.  It is all just too expensive.
• Speaking of expensive studios - there is a new spin studio opening in Buckhead called FlyWheel and I WANT TO TRY IT SO BADLY.  I love love love spin classes and this is supposed to be spin on crack - stadium spinning in a dark room so you cannot stare at your neighbor with boards up front so you can complete against others.  Plus free spin shoes {which is actually kinda gross if you think about it} and free towels {i always forget mine} and free water {which I would have to bring my own because i guzzle, but still} ... seriously, want to try. 
• Speaking of expensive things .. I have an urge to buy more lululemon tanks {for pure barre} but I cannot and will not do it because I HATE running in Lulu.
• I am thinking about running the Charles Harris 10k this weekend.  Can I tough out 6.2 miles?  It is pretty much all flat and downhill.  Decisions decisions my friend.
• And.  I really have not been running.  I have been living in Blast900 and Pure Barre.  I really need to bring the running back in my life.  I miss it.  I have LOVED finding my groove on the treadmill in Blast which means, I will love finding my groove whenever I start hitting the pavement again.
• There is a new gym opening up by my house and it is like $19 per month.  I just may be joining it once they open the doors.  Especially since I will be ditching Pure Barre and Blast - well ditching it some what.....  le sigh.

Oh How I Forgot

I started back up with both Pure Barre and Blast 900 last week / this week.  And let me tell you - I forgot just how painful {{ but awesome }} both are.  I went to Blast for the first time in MONTHS yesterday and you know you're in a hard class / have a hard teacher when people who teach Blast classes attend her class.  Yeah it was pretty rough and today I am hurting.

Pure Barre is a whole different kind of pain and it is probably a good thing that I accidentally forgot my Pure Barre clothes at home on the counter.  =/

I have 9 more Blast classes on my schedule and 29 Pure Barre classes before the wedding with running in the mix too.

Dear Trip Home To VA:

I would like to run and not lay in bed watching Netflix and reading the whole time I am home.  And since I will not have the dogs, there are no excuses why I cannot get a run in at least on Christmas Eve and the Monday after Christmas.  I do have a hair cut Friday morning (at a mall, what was I thinking!?) and dinner with one set of Kyle's parents but I must run some.

I am doing Pure Barre tomorrow morning and today at work I started trying to book myself up for January - March (nothing like a wedding get in shape and be pretty cram fest :: reminds me of college exam time) but their system is whack and wouldn't let me only book under the 'Baby Bounce Back Package'.  =/

As you know, I did get a run in on my work trip this week - but other than that I am sucking it up with the running and this holiday booty buster challenge thing.

I am gonna get a run in on Sunday after Kyle and I do our Christmas.  There is a lot that I need to run off.  This week has been a hard one.

Tuesday Thoughts.

Since Thursday is Thanksgiving - I doubt I will get a Three Things Thursday out since that will be a family day - so I decided to do Tuesday Thoughts ... and I will not be limited to just 3 things.  I am still in total shock that we are about to be in December.  Like where has 2011 gone?  Time flies the older you get.  =/

1.  We are leaving for Northern Virginia today after work.  We = Me. Kyle. And the 2 dogs.  I am getting a little anxious about the two dogs because I will have to have them the whole time.  I am trying to make Kyle take them on Friday night - Saturday, but so far I am losing that battle. Having the 2 dogs really makes it impossible to run (really having 1 dog does this too) and there are some routes I really like back home.  I just feel REALLY bad dumping the dog(s) on my parents when I know they're more of a pain than anything.

2.  During the week I feel like I am REALLY good at hydrating myself - on the weekends I feel like I am really bad at it.  I don't know why, but I am.  So, I really really want this.  I am probably going to fall into some big amazing marketing ploy & it won't really actually work.    But it is worth a shot?  ...Or I can make a bigger effort to just drink water on the weekends?

3.  I need a December race.  If you're in Atlanta start suggesting.  I don't want to do the one in the Highlands because I predict parking will be a total nightmare and I like my pre-race activities to be stress free.

4.  The Run to the Finish - Holiday Booty Buster Challenge started this past weekend.  And I meant to run this weekend, I really did.  But then I got consumed with Football and Christmas Shopping and Christmas Movies (thanks Hallmark Channel) and dogs and super tiredness and laundry and packing to go home to VA and bathing the dogs.  HOWEVER - I got some miles in at lunch on Monday.  I was not going to let this week go by with 0 miles and 0 working out.  Those miles were not pretty, but they are done!

5.  All I want for Christmas is a new Road ID.  Seriously, especially if I am going to be running outside in the Perimeter Mall area on lunch breaks.  These stay at home moms in big SUVs are scary.  I feel like I am destined to be hit by a car (even in a crosswalk).  Therefore, I would like to have some sort of ID on me.  And I lost my old one ... and I want my new one to have my blood type on it.  And I want the one that attaches to my shoe (that way I cannot lose it).

6.  I need both Pure Barre and Blast 900 to have crazy holiday sales. I want to bring both back into my life after the 1st of the year -- especially Pure Barre, but the classes are so expensive I have a hard time justifying them.  Especially Pure Barre because I feel like you have to go a lot to see results, but I feel like Pure Barre will help the most to make me wedding dress pretty.  I wish things like that were not crazy expensive, I have bills and life to pay for.


....oh how exhausted am I. 

weekly round up.

i survived another week. i hope you did too.

monday: 2.03 mile run.  it was supposed to be 2 miles but what can i say, i am an over achiever.  started training for Rock and Roll Savannah and welcomed the hot summer sun in all in the same day.
tuesday: lazy.
wednesday: lazy.
thursday: lazy.
friday: pure barre at lunch with the office girls.  and taking a week off from that place is not a good idea. just a heads up.
saturday: brookhaven bolt 5k. race recap to come soon. 3.1 miles.  AND I took Mulls on his 30 minute walk! :o)
sunday: 30 minute walk with the dog.

i did figure out (per my garmin) that each 30 minute walk is about 1.5 miles.

total miles ran this week:  5.13  ...now, if i could get to working out more consistently that would be awesome.

random work out thoughts:

• man. nike frees are not good running shoes for me. my legs hurt.
• hello hot summer sun in atlanta.
• must actually follow my training plan to savannah.
• pure barre sucks if you don't go at least 1 time per week
• i actually am not dying (while running the 5k)

Favorite Things.

A few weeks back I saw a blog about a runner’s favorite things and since my blog this year has navigated SO far from the running and working out world (since I have not done a lot of running this calendar year. oi) I decided to steal this and tell the world about my favorite running things … when I am running.

Brooks PR Mesh Skirts.  They're airy and short {I like short running things} and breathable and just darn cute.  Oh and the “underwear”  doesn't chafe or really ride up.  There is a zipper pocket on the back that I can throw a key in. Sometimes, when I am lucky I can find them for super cheap on 6pm.com .. other times I have to pay pretty much full price, but it is 100% worth it.

The Stick & Foam Roller.  Those little contraptions works out all the kinks on my legs. This probably sounds loony, but whenever my legs are starting to feel tired and heavy I spend some quality time with those 2 things and I tend to bounce right back.  I also swear by the foam roller the night before the race.

Joyful Bath Bath Salts. I hate ice baths. They’re miserable. But I always would take the ice bath with epsom salts.  But, once I was introduced to Joyful Bath the ice baths didn’t get any better, but the scents and how they work made them like .01% more manageable.

Pure Barre. When I first started I wondered if/how it could make me stronger, but after a month of going my core and legs are much stronger. and both things will help with my running. the only downside it that it is REALLY expensive so since my new member monthly perk has expired I can only afford to go once per week.

Amphipod AirFlow Lite Waist Pack. I use this only for my half marathons and marathons since it is kind of bigger. Though it is bigger and fanny pack like, it sits on my lower back and doesn’t really move {unless I have the whole world in it}  There is plenty of room for by blackberry, chapstick, keys, and GU chomps.

ReGen Recovery Milk.  I have tried everything from Athlete's Milk to Honey Milk but I could never stomach it.  They seemed so chalky and non milk like.  But I was introduced to ReGen thanks to the Marine Corps Marathon and it tastes just like milk.  It has earned the title of my post long run and post race beverage.

GU Chomps.  I cannot stomach the Gels.  Something about the texture makes me want to vomit.  But the chomps I do just fine with. I normally only need 1 package of them but they give me the little burst I need & I hate to say this…. but when I am dying at the office, they help wake me up too.  *you know you’re a runner when…*

Neutrogena Sport Wipes.  Theses bad boys are awesome for after a killer workout.  I carry them in my gym bag to quickly clean the dirt and sweat off my face after working out.  They’re clutch when I do a workout and then have to head back to the office.

And with that…. those are just a few of my favorites when it comes to working out, running, or being active.

another week.

and this week i did.......

monday: missed my workout. was talking to one of my favorite people and my maid of honor about her 1st day at her new job!! yay for E!
tueday: mile monday a day late, but completed.. 1 mile. pace: 12:10 .... still kinda sore from boot camp which may explain why i was SLOWER than last week. humph
wednesday: pure barre was missed due to work and life.  BUT I made Kyle walk the dog with me for some quality "family time" before the storms rolled in. probably a 15-20 minute walk.
thursday: i did nothing.
friday: planned to do pure barre during lunch. missed it due to a meeting & work over load due to a training class next week. 
saturday:  .....30 minute dog walk.
sunday: pure barre.  the very last day of my unlimited month. so sad but it was so hot and so unfun. .....30 minute dog walk


total miles ran.... 1.00 mile.  SO LAZY! *wasnt the idea of this post to ahem make me work out so i did not have to report back that I was lazy lazy?!*

random thoughts:

• i love pure barre, but i am kind of glad my unlimited month is up.  i feel myself getting stronger, but i cannot rely only on that to get back in shape and to build my stamina and endurance.  i need some active movement in my life. i do love their core work though.
• i was in amazing shape when i was swimming once a week. i need to swim again.
• lululemon has horrible running clothes. thou shall not waste my money there again.
• i love race season. i love seeing everyone's crazy awesome accomplishments and hearing about people's marathons and 5ks.  Heck, I can live viacariously though people!!

weekly wrapup.

just another week trying to get back to being active and in wedding dress shape.  but on monday i was told that i was looking skinny. skinny = good.

monday:  1 mile. pace: 11:47. I am starting what I like to call "mile monday" where i kick start my week with a little run around the oh so hilly neighborhood.  I am making myself run every hill and each week I am going to make myself run longer (ex: past the mailbox i stopped at).  and when 1 mile is too easy we will lose the alliteration and make it a longer distance.
tuesday: pure barre with afton and lyd! and this time, it was a freaking work out out.  i don't know if it was monday's run or what - but my legs could not do the thigh work to save my life.
wednesday: just a little casual walk with kyle j and the dog around the neighborhood. the sun had not sunk yet and the weather was gorgeous. just had to walk with my two loves!
thursday: nothing.
friday: nothing. planned pure barre at 4:15 but afton's boss didn't let her off early like mine did.
saturday: goodness me. mitzi's $10 boot camp. that child is lucky i love her and will suffer for her in the name of a good cause. the warm-up was more like a work out, running hills, squats, push ups.  Then the actual work out was ALL sprints. Sprints then 10 push ups, sprint then 9 push ups sprint then 8 ... and you get the point. But we did sprints with push up and butt lift things and sit ups and then burpees (but i slacked and did jumping jacks)  ... my garmin was dead so i couldn't track the miles. but seriously, it is a GOOD work out so if you're in Atlanta, we have 1 more next weekend at Piedmont Park and you should come.   plus mully got a 30 minute hilly hot walk.
sunday: planned pure barre but it was closed for easter. then i planned to run, but my legs could not move because of bootcamp. but i walked mully for 30 minutes.

total miles run: 1 mile + whatever I ran at bootcamp, which was at least a mile, maybe even more! ...and it is an improvement from last week. but then again, anything is!

random thoughts:

• i know i am not supposed to like chris brown since he beats women, but T-Pain's song "Best Love Song" with him on it is amazing to run to.
• I think I may adore running skirts - but I hate the lululemon one, I like my brooks one.
• My matron of honor is burning Kyle and me P90X ... but what are we getting ourselves into?!
• bootcamp is REALLY painful.  How do people do this 3 days a week and not want to kill themselves?
• i just may run a 5k this upcoming saturday... just to see how out of shape i am.

Weekly Work Out Round Up (vol. 2)

and. how did this week go? cliff notes version: still a little lazy.


monday: nothing. nada. lazy.
tuesday: lazy. nothing again. thought about it, but then went for mexican to gain weight rather than lose it.
wednesday: pure barre. 55 minutes. still sore from boot camp it seemed. but the core work is getting easier which means, i am building a core. now, if the extra skin on my stomach would go away.
thursday: nothing. (oi this is getting embarrassing)
friday: i was gonna run, but i didn't get home in time to miss the rain. but rejoined LA Fitness.
saturday: run in the neighborhood. only .98 miles - my allergies or something made it hard. but i think this will be my "monday mile" run, if i can find .02 to add. i skipped mitzi's boot camp, but i will go back next week.  ohhhh and i did a 30 minute dog walk with the dog.
sunday: pure barre with afton and lyd again. =)  and another 30 minute dog walk with the pup.


miles ran this week: .98 -- pa-thet-ic.
                                                                                                                          

And in other news... As you know I have dropped out of Ragnar. And really, I am okay with it. My heart wasn't in it, nor was I athletically in shape for it. With that.... the team is on the hunt to fill up a few legs and I am going to *at least* try and help! 

In Van 1:

Runner 2: Leg 2 (4.5miles), Leg 14 (4.5miles), Leg 26 (6.8miles): 15.8 miles
Runner 5: Leg 5 (6.3miles), Leg 17 (3.2miles), Leg 29 (2.9miles): 12.4 miles

In Van 2:
Runner 7: Leg 7 (4.7miles), Leg 19 (3.7miles), Leg 31 (4.9miles): 13.3 miles
Runner 11: Leg 11 (5.5miles), Leg 23 (4miles), Leg 35 (8.3miles): 17.8 miles

Please keep a couple things in mind:

• You'll probably need to take Thursday June 9th off of work for travel to Wisconsin and definitely Friday June 10th since the race starts that morning.
• Registration: $90
• Hotel room in Madison, WI Thursday night before the race: $35
• Van rental: $35
• Gas for Van: $??
• Food: ??
• If you are coming from out of state, airfare: $200++

Now if you're interested and this sounds doable for you, please e-mail Courtney ASAP at wannaberunnergirl@gmail.com

weekly workout (episode 1)

weekly workout recap round one.

monday: nothing. meant to. but had to run to the grocery store and then the storms rolled in.
tuesday: nothing.
wednesday:  55 minute pure barre. core. butt. legs. arms. death. followed by the foam roller
thursday: nothing. drinks with coworkers since we're the company of the month at wildfire!
friday: nothing
saturday: 10:45 AM - Piedmont Park $10 fundraising boot camp. goodnight we were worked.out. lots of core work, arm work, sprints. *be there next weekend, super big thanks to tiffy t. who joined me and helped us raise money for mitzi*    .... and 30 minute dog walk around the hilly neighborhood.
sunday: i was supposed to go to pure barre, but didn't. my body hurts from yesterday's boot camp.    but i did do another 30 minute dog walk with the pup.

total miles ran: 1.27. nothing impressive. i must run more next week.

Three Things Thursday.

thursday.thursday.thursday.thursday. 1 more day till friday.
1. Each Sunday plan to now see what I want to call my weekly wrap up where I will document my physical activity for each week. Some may find it boring, others I don't know.  But I think if I KNOW I have to report back I may be a little more active.  And I feel like my running blog has become more of a life blog (which is fine), but I think it is time to refocus and get back to the basics.  *hopefully* I will have more race recaps for you, product reviews, etc... in the future.
2. Do you know what I find really cool.  The stats section of blogger.  I feel I may have addressed this before, but obviously I like it so much I am talking about it again.  Not only and I being introduced to more and more awesome running blogs (like I need more to read / not read and have to play catch up on) but I find it cool to see how people are linked to my posts and blog and what not.  It appears that "thirteen minute mile" is googled a lot and I seem to pop up.  And my race reviews seem to be pop up in google searches too.  Please potential runners, take my reviews lightly... I am a picky person.
3.  I have been doing a lot of pure barre lately.  it is a killer workout and i can for sure see how it can/does change someones body if they do it enough but goodness it hurts. however, i do not think it will really change my body (for some odd reason) but what i am wondering is if it will effect and improve my running.  i had to pull out my foam roller yesterday to work my legs and was painfully reminded how much the foam roller hurts.  oi.


......and shameless plug time.  If you're in Atlanta. I hope to see you at bootcamp this Saturday! $10, 10:45 Piedmont Park. Be there.